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The number of unemployed young people in Liverpool has more than doubled since the start of the pandemic, grim new figures have revealed.

Coronavirus and the related economic uncertainty have created a "perfect storm" for young people, with those in shut down sectors such as hospitality and travel hit the hardest.

Statistics released this week by the Centre for Cities showed that 7,440 young people in Liverpool - 8% - claimed benefits in August, more than double the number in the month before the pandemic began.

It's also above the national average of 7.5%, and the Youth Employment Group, which was established to help young people through the Covid pandemic, said it expects the figure to increase further after October.

YEG brings together over 150 leaders and experts in the youth employment sector to drive the º£½ÇÊÓƵ response to Covid-19, with local members including advice service Career Connect and social enterprise Transform Lives Company.

A joint statement from the two organisations said: “These new figures show the scale of the challenge facing young people across the city. Younger generations are being hardest hit by economic instability and they are 2.5 times more likely to work in the ‘shut down’ sectors which are being further disrupted by local lockdowns and more stringent social distancing measures."

The YEG is now calling on local communities to work together to create as many good quality opportunities for young people as possible.

Among other recommendations, they are encouraging local employers and youth services to get involved in government schemes and help ensure that young people in Liverpool are not missing out – in particular young people who need support the most.