Following the latest youth unemployment statistics showing nearly 1 in 10 young people in Hastings are neither in work or training local MP Michael Foster has called on Rother Council to ‘do the right thing’ and return the £250,000 jobs money given to them by Hastings Council.

“Of course I’m disappointed that so many young people are jobless. It’s true the number is far fewer than were unemployed in 1993 during the last recession and far less than in countries like Ireland and Spain today. But that’s not the point. Every jobless youngster is a loss of potential.

“That’s why the Government has, through the Working Neighbourhood Fund and Future Jobs Programme, targeted investment in Hastings. That’s why we are investing £93million in a new college of further education.

“That cash should not be passed on to areas with lesser problems, especially when the global downturn continues to impact on the town. Whatever the legal technicalities handing over £250,000 was a foolish decision and I’m calling on Rother to do the right thing and give it back.

“I’m really worried not just for our town and country but for every young person if we were now to face the ‘faster and deeper’ cuts proposed by the Tories.”