On Monday 19^th of July I attended a parliamentary reception hosted by the Federation of Small Businesses. Whilst I was there I talked with Denise Craig, the policy director for the Federation in the West Midlands, and John Ryder, the chair of the institute of directors in the West Midlands.

We discussed the problem of youth and graduate unemployment and we plan to meet again to discuss how we can work with small businesses in the region in order to improve the situation.

 Research undertaken to coincide with Times Higher Education “Universities Week” earlier this year reported that on average 65% of graduates stay in their University region after they graduate. The West Midlands retention rate is much lower at 40% because of poor job prospects and lack of industry diversity.

 It is not only worrying that youth unemployment is increasing in the region, but also that the region is losing the talented and skilled young people who chose the West Midlands as their place of further study but who then move away. David Cameron’s concept of the big society is all well and good, but what we need in the West Midlands is action to prove that the “big society” is more than just a ploy to deliver vital services on the cheap.  We need systems in place that enable small business to help tackle growing youth and graduate unemployment by offering work experience, placements and internships.  I look forward to working with Ms Craig, Mr Ryder and local business to help tackle unemployment in the region.