Oral question asked in the House of Commons, by Duncan Hames (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Tuesday, 24 April 2012 on behalf of the Treasury.

Bank Bonus Tax

Question: Youth unemployment is clearly more acute in some parts of the country than in others. Why does the Minister think it has fallen in over a third of the country, including Bolsover, but not in some constituencies, such as Bradford West, where it has increased by 500?

Answer: My hon. Friend makes the important point that the pattern of youth unemployment varies across the country. It is important that the necessary support is in place to help young people looking for work, and the Work programme is likely to help 100,000 young people this year. That is just one of the practical measures we are taking to tackle the problem of youth unemployment—which, as the right hon. Member for South Shields (David Miliband) said, started under the last Labour Government.

Secondary information