THE Government must take action to tackle youth unemployment, according to a Bolton MP.

Figures announced this week show that there were 405 more unemployed young people in Bolton last month than in 2011.

The biggest increase was seen in David Crausby’s Bolton North East constituency, where there are 165 more unemployed young people than the same period the year before.

There are 2,880 unemployed young people in Bolton, compared to 2,475 a year ago.

Mr Crausby said: “More young people are being left on the sidelines and the Government is doing nothing to deliver the opportunities they need and deserve. It’s time to take action and get this country back to work.”

Nationally, 22 per cent of young people aged between 18 and 24 are not in work or education, and long-term youth unemployment has doubled over the past year.

Mr Crausby said: “I say take action to create real jobs and apprenticeships, with real wages, as soon as possible.”

The latest figures for Bolton show 8,631 people claimed Jobseekers Allowance in January — up more than 1,000 on the same time last year, and up 400 on the previous month.

This is above both the national and regional averages.