YOUNG people between the ages of 16 and 24 have been affected the most in terms of unemployment rates in Glasgow during the last year.

A report which will be presented to city councillors later in the week reveals that between 2019 and 2020 the unemployment rate rose by 5.2% points for 16-24-year-olds against an overall unemployment rate increase of 0.9% points.

The data also shows that young women were the most affected despite UK unemployment estimated to be 4.8% between January and March 2021.  This was down from 5.1% during the fourth quarter of 2020.

Glasgow’s unemployment rate for calendar year 2020 remains at 4.7% the same as 2019 with the furlough scheme and businesses grants recognised as playing a key role in keeping the unemployment rate steady in comparison to the rest of Scotland.

As a result, Glasgow’s economic recovery group (GERG) has developed an action plan to address the economic challenges and opportunities emerging from the Covid-19 pandemic.

They agreed to liaise with Glasgow City Council recovery teams to establish support being developed to allow businesses to re-open while adhering to Government advice and regulations.

The group has been working with the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce to develop future marketing campaigns and communication with the business community building on the Glasgow is Open campaign.

Members also agreed to provide support for entrepreneurs including financial support in the form of compensation as well as free or reduced cost services.

The GERG was intended as an immediate, short term response to the economic crisis brought about by the March 2020 lockdown. Having established an action plan, the group was formally stood down after the meeting on March 26, 2021.

Recognising that the city’s economy has changed significantly during the global pandemic, work will now begin on the development of a new longer term economic strategy for Glasgow. The strategy will focus on the City’s 3 grand challenges – productivity, inclusive growth and climate emergency – and will be presented by the end of 2021.