THE prospect of a happy New Year seems more elusive than ever for those blighted by rising youth unemployment.

More than 26,500 young people aged 18 to 24 were claiming benefits across the North-East at the end of last year at a cost of more than £1.3m a week. This figure has risen by nearly 28 per cent in just one year.

Unsurprisingly, those out of work are significantly less happy with their health, friendships and family life. Our new report, The Prince’s Trust YouGov Youth Index (Echo, Jan 4), shows that unemployed young people are twice as likely to feel down or depressed and many feel ashamed, isolated and unloved.

If trends follow those of previous recessions, we fear these youngsters will become members of a lost generation and face a continued lack of confidence and low self-esteem.

The long-term regional cost of failing to give young people a helping hand when many need it most must be counted in wasted human potential as well as in monetary terms.

It is organisations such as The Prince’s Trust, working with local councils and businesses, which are key to helping young people into jobs. Together, we can build on and surpass last year’s achievements of changing 4,000 young lives across the region in 2010.

David Beavis, North-East Regional Director, The Prince’s Trust, Gateshead.