SIR – Too many young people are feeling the effects of the worst recession in recent history.

Those with fewest qualifications are being pushed further back in the queue for work, leaving thousands stranded on the dole.

This month, The Prince’s Trust and The Royal Bank of Scotland Group have released their Cost Of Exclusion report, which revealed how much this youth disadvantage is costing the UK. Even a conservative estimate – based on lost productivity being equivalent to Jobseeker’s Allowance – suggests that youth unemployment costs per week for Yorkshire would be more than £5 million.

Based on lost productivity being equivalent to the average weekly wage for their age group, the cost of youth unemployment in Yorkshire is £16 million a week.

Youth charity The Prince’s Trust can give young people the skills and confidence to leave the dole queue for good for a fraction of this cost.

At this time, when there is huge pressure on the public purse, the Cost Of Exclusion report shows it is possible to help young people into jobs while saving the state billions.

Government, charities and employers must work together now to deliver this vital change. For details, go to princes-trust.org.uk or call 0800 842842.

Samantha Kennedy, regional director for The Prince’s Trust in Yorkshire and The Humber