Government is letting down graduates - Webb

Ministers must offer personalised support far earlier to make sure young people’s career prospects aren’t set back," said the Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary.

Commenting on figures released today [Thursday 3 September] from the Higher Education Statistics Agency which reveal that almost a quarter of graduates were not in full-time work three and a half years after leaving university, Steve Webb said:

“These figures show that graduates were finding things very tough even before the recession hit.

“Having forked out for at least three years to get a degree, many graduates are finding immediate opportunities few and far between.

“Facing such a hostile employment situation, it is no surprise that many graduates are opting to stay in further education to enhance their job prospects.

“The Government has failed to offer young people the help they need. Ministers must offer personalised support far earlier to make sure young people’s career prospects aren’t set back by a demoralising period of unemployment so soon after leaving education.”