UNEMPLOYMENT among young people has rocketed during the lockdown because they work in some of the hardest-hit industries, according to a study published today.

Economic research group the Resolution Foundation said that young workers had borne the brunt of the job losses because they disproportionately work in sectors such as hospitality and leisure, which have been worst affected by the crisis.

Young workers have suffered 57 per cent of jobs lost due to the pandemic in the first three months of this year, compared with the same period last year.

It also found that from April to June and July to September 2020 the unemployment rate among 18- to 24-year-olds rose from 11.5 to 13.6 per cent. an increase showing the largest quarter-on-quarter rise among the age group since 1992.

Young people leaving school, college or university were hit particularly badly, the foundation said.

Unemployment among young people without a degree shot up from 14 per cent to 18 per cent between 2019 and 2020. Young black people suffered 25 per cent unemployment compared with Asian young people at 21 per cent, and those from a white background at 10 per cent.

Resolution Foundation senior research and policy analyst Kathleen Henehan said that the government should prioritise employment prospects for young people as the economy recovers.

“Young people have sacrificed their livelihoods in order to save the lives of others from Covid-19, and putting their careers back on track must be a priority for government in the months and years ahead,” she said.