THE prospect of a happy New Year seems more elusive than ever for those whose lives and futures have been blighted by rising youth unemployment.

Almost 62,000 18-to-24-year-olds were claiming benefits across the North West at the end of last year at a cost of more than £3.1 million a week.

This figure has risen by nearly 37% in just one year, as younger and less experienced members of our workforce are hit hardest.

Unsurprisingly, those out of work are significantly less happy with their health, friendships and family life.

Our alarming new report, The Prince’s Trust YouGov Youth Index, 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 that 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 at a time when many of them need it most must be counted in wasted human potential as well as in monetary terms. It is organisations like 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 over 4,000 young lives across the region in 2010.

Jackie Tyler, North West Regional Director, Prince’s Trust, Elm Street Business Park, Burnley.