YOUTH unemployment in Bournemouth has more than doubled in the last year and is costing almost £47,640 a week.

The town has seen a startling 128 per cent rise in 18 to 24-year-olds claiming Jobseekers’ Allowance, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics A report published today by the Prince’s Trust predicts that the figures are set to rise further.

As unemployment soars and local youth services become vulnerable to cuts, the report also warns that youth charities will struggle to keep up with spiralling demands from disadvantaged young people.

Calls to the trust’s helpline at the start of this year increased more than 50 per cent compared with the same period last year.

The report also paints a troubling picture for other areas in Dorset.

There has been a 133 per cent rise in Poole at a total cost of £32,608 a week in Jobseekers’ Allowance, a 206 per cent rise in East Dorset at a cost of £13,247, a 160 per cent rise in North Dorset at a cost of £9,935. Similar rises have also been seen in Purbeck and Christchurch.

There has been a 155 per cent rise in youth unemployment in the New Forest with £33,118.

Sue Porto, regional director for the Prince’s Trust in the South West, said: “Our region’s most vulnerable youngsters will be permanently damaged by the downturn unless they receive the support they need.

“There are thousands of disadvantaged young people in the South West who are in need of our support and this will only increase unless we help young people into jobs. Only with their ideas and creativity will we be able to pull ourselves out of the recession.”

Youth charities struggle to attract funding from the public despite their “immeasurable value”, according to the report.

The trust is launching the Million Makers fundraising challenge which will see businesses from across the South West raising money for the youth charity by setting up their own mini-enterprises. Each team is given a start-up grant of £1,500 and are challenged to turn it into £10,000.

For more information contact Michelle Moran at the Prince’s Trust on 0117 929 2300 or michelle.moran@princes-trust.org.uk.