Teesside’s talent needs a joined-up system to succeed, says local MP following BBC Tees interview
27th May 2025 – Middlesbrough
Luke Myer, MP for Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland, has called for urgent action to make sure young people in the region are not written off due to a lack of opportunities in work or training.
Speaking on BBC Tees, Luke responded to concerns highlighted by the Learning & Work Institute that Middlesbrough remains one of the toughest places in the country for 16 to 24-year-olds to find work. He highlighted that, as far back as 2017, one in seven 16 to 17-year-olds were not in education, employment or training, a figure that has only risen in recent years.
Luke said:
“We’ve had this warning light flashing for years about young people in our region being left behind. That’s our future being held back. I really don’t think it has to be that way. We’ve got an incredible region and we should be the best place in the UK for young people to get into decent, skilled jobs.”
He welcomed recent developments, including a £5 million Youth Guarantee Trailblazer for Teesside and wider investment in apprenticeships and green industries such as carbon capture. However, he called for better regional co-ordination for the skills system to work for everyone.
Luke added:
“There’s a gap in the skills system. We have the local talent, but not the ladder of opportunity. We need a joined-up system that connects school to college to employment, and a joined-up transport network that links rural communities to those opportunities. No young person should be written off because of where they’re from.”
Luke also spoke positively about the Government’s decision to roll out free breakfast clubs in primary schools and this week’s announcement of a wider skills reform plan, which he said must form part of a coordinated local strategy to deliver results for young people.
References
- Youth Guarantee Trailblazer information https://www.gov.uk/government/news/thousands-of-young-people-set-to-benefit-from-new-support-into-work-and-training
Luke Myer has consistently championed skills development and local opportunity:
- Annual Carbon Capture Storage Conference:
https://lukemyer.uk/annual-carbon-capture-storage-conference/ - Luke Myer MP Champions Local Business and Skills Development at NECC Event:
https://lukemyer.uk/necc-event-2024/ - PM reacts to Luke Myer’s question in parliament, recognises Teesside’s potential for jobs:
https://lukemyer.uk/prime-minister-recognises-teessides-unique-potential-for-jobs/