Facing growing ranks of young unemployed, one Surrey borough has created a scheme to help boost the chances of finding work, as Cllr Joan Spiers explains.

Supporting young people to gain the skills they need for employment is one of Reigate and Banstead BC's top priorities. In May 2011, the council launched its Young Workers Scheme, designed to provide youngsters who are not in education, employment or training – otherwise known as NEET – with skills, so they could step on to the employment ladder.