THE number of unemployed young people in Britain is a ticking time bomb for the nation’s economy. New figures released by the Government show almost 800,000 of those aged 18 to 24 are not in school, college or work.

The figure represents more than 16 per cent of under-24s.

Meanwhile, more than 10 per cent of a younger section of the population – those aged between 16 and 18 – are also classed as so-called Neets.

The coalition was quick yesterday to highlight its achievements during its first 100 days in office.

We suggest that youth unemployment is a problem that needs to be addressed as quickly as the deficit.

There is a real risk that a lasting legacy of the recession will be a wasted generation.

Unless action is taken quickly, there will be hundreds of thousands of disaffected young people in this country who are ill-educated and unused to, and unprepared for, work.

Public sector cuts are leading to reductions in the number of available college and university places, even to brighter students.

The result is even more youngsters without further education or job prospects.

The expansion of the apprenticeships programme and the introduction of the work programme next year are lights on the horizon but they will not be enough to solve the problem of youth unemployment.

More has to be done. The alternative is a generation for whom unemployment becomes the norm.