BETWEEN May 2010 and the start of 2014, long term youth unemployment across the UK increased by a shocking 99 per cent.

But in Wales, we have been able to limit the rise to 59 per cent – a massive 40 per cent less than the UK average.

This is due in large part to the Welsh Government’s youth employment scheme ‘Jobs Growth Wales’ which is the most successful programme of its kind in Europe- having provided work opportunities for more than 10,000 16-24 year olds.

The Welsh Government’s commitment to maintaining the Education Maintenance Allowance and supporting students paying Tuition Fees has also helped keep long term youth unemployment down in Wales.

If we compare the situation here in Wales to areas across the North of England, (places that have traditionally mirrored the employment and economic performance of Wales) we can see the devastating consequences of the UK Government’s abandonment of young people. In Bradford for example, long term youth unemployment has increased by more than 3,000 per cent. In Leeds there has been an increase in excess of 800 per cent and on the Wirral the rise has been 400 per cent in some constituencies.

Here in Wales, the Welsh Government is protecting our young people, not abandoning them. I have been delighted to meet young people from the Vale of Glamorgan who are working for local Jobs Growth Wales companies and I wish them every success for their futures.

Finally, following on from the excellent Vale A -level results which I welcomed in my previous column, I would like to congratulate our Vale GCSE students for their outstanding results. This year saw over 70 per cent of entries resulting in an A*-C grade. This is an increase of 3.9 per cent compared with last year.

Congratulations to students, staff and parents whose hard work and support has produced another impressive set of A-level, AS-level, GCSE and Welsh Baccalaureate results in the Vale of Glamorgan.

Jane Hutt AM