AS WE begin this New Year, many of the South West's young people are still without work. The headline rate of unemployment has thankfully come down recently, but official estimates suggest it could go up again over the next year.

It's a tough time for young people across the whole of the UK. The Prince's Trust Youth Index has revealed that more than one in five young people in the South West (22 per cent) believe their prospects have been 'permanently damaged' by the recession. Tellingly, the young unemployed are more than twice as likely to feel this way.

Here in the South West, we are becoming increasingly concerned about the number of young, long-term unemployed. In the South West, the number of 16 to 24 year-olds claiming Jobseekers Allowance for more than six months has increased by 336 per cent since before the recession.

Many young people who come to our youth charity for help report feelings of isolation, depression and anxiety due to being out of work. Quite simply, we cannot afford to put them on hold for another year.

There is much to do in 2013 to guide the most vulnerable young people in the South West into jobs – but, working with employers, agencies and local government, we can increase the number of young lives we change. To see how you can help us, visit www.princes-trust.org.uk

DERMOT FINCH

Regional Director South

The Prince's Trust