Youth unemployment tops LAAs
- Published: 01 July 2008 08:59
- Author: Dan Drillsma-Milgrom
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- Last Updated: 01 July 2008 10:26
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Tackling youth unemployment was confirmed as the most popular cause for local authorities as the government released final details of councils' local area agreements (LAAs).
Out of 150 upper-tier authorities, 115 included reducing the number of 16 to 18 year olds who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) as one of their top priorities. Other popular issues included reducing teenage pregnancy, building more homes and reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown said LAAs would "drive up standards, respond to local concerns, and help people hold their local council to account".
Community safety 'most important'
Meanwhile, the results of a new YouGov poll reveal that people want areas to prioritise the issue of community safety - 82% of the population selected this as among the most important jobs for councils.
Local Government Association chair, Sir Simon Milton, said: "We have ambitious targets but we will rise to the challenge to ensure council taxpayers see great results and are provided with the best value for money. Less bureaucracy means more dynamism to improve public services, our raison d'etre."
