Talking Politics column with Coun Martin Hey: Finding work for young people in Calderdale
“There are no jobs in our part of Halifax.” That was the startling statement made by one councillor at a recent meeting, as we discussed the problem of youth unemployment in deprived areas of the borough. Whilst I hoped this was something of an exaggeration, I understood the sentiment.
And the facts speak for themselves – the number of young people aged between 18 and 24 claiming unemployment benefit in Calderdale is 8.2 per cent, over 40 per cent higher than the national average. And the situation in local areas is even worse, with Ovenden’s unemployment rate now over 13 per cent. Behind these cold statistics are young people living in poverty and with little faith in the future.
The factors lying behind unemployment in our area are complex, no doubt. It's clear that global factors (China/AI) are playing a part in reducing the size of the local economy. Closer to home, much investment in West Yorkshire is centred in an area around Leeds, due to the geographic and transport advantages of that part of the county. Calderdale Council is trying to participate in this trend by developing a business park near the M62 outside Brighouse – a location too far away from those in Calderdale who need the jobs.
So what are the solutions? I was disappointed to hear one Reform councillor say that low-quality roles for young people are the way forward. During the recent Planning Committee where a McDonald's drive-through was approved in Shelf, one of the arguments in favour of the scheme was that 60 jobs would be created. However, the company themselves refused to deny that these contracts would be on a zero-hour basis. In reality, these roles are so low paid that government benefits will almost inevitably be needed to top up the wages of those working there. In this way, we see a multi-billion-pound US company that is being subsidised by taxpayers – that’s just wrong.
Green Party solutions? Well, there’s some work that machines are not yet ready to replace – where human contact is essential. I am of course thinking about Health and Social Care – work that needs to be valued for its importance to those getting the help, rather than being seen as activity that should be made more efficient. With an aging population this type of employment is likely to grow, so needs to be nurtured and invested in by local leaders.
Also, in recent years a huge amount of the growth in Calderdale’s economy has come from the “Green Economy”. This stretches well beyond renewable energy to retrofitting and water purification amongst many other areas. This is the high value, high-skilled employment that we need in Calderdale and it’s essential that the Council continue to engage and encourage businesses in this field.
Of course, so much environmental and climate work involves investment now for future benefit. This often leads the moneymen to say “These schemes are unaffordable”. However, by putting off doing the work today, we’re making tomorrow’s climate and environmental problems much worse – in the end the cost of delay could be astronomical. So let's not wait, now is the best time to be brave, modernise our economy and invest in our area and our young people.