THE number of young people in Nottingham who have been unemployed for more than a year has almost tripled.
There were 925 people in the city aged 18-24 who were not in work last month, compared with 355 at the same time last year.
Figures for the rest of Notts have also shot up – with 1,910 young people out of work for more than a year.
Nottingham North, which saw one of the biggest increases, has seen the number of young people out of work for more than 12 months jump from 185 to 415.
The area's MP Graham Allen said: "The figures show that there is no let-up for young people in Nottingham that have been shut out of the jobs market."
Other areas badly affected are the constituency of Broxtowe, which has seen a rise from 35 to 115, and Ashfield, where the figures went up from 55 to 190.
Nathaniel Middleton, of Polperro Way in Hucknall, is among those trying to find work. The 22 year-old, who has been unemployed for about five months, said: "It feels terrible. You wake up and there is nothing to do.
"I try to stay positive, but it isn't easy to keep motivated."
The figures were the worst since records collected by the Office for National Statistics began in 2005.
Last year there were just 675 young people unemployed across Notts – and there were just 135 in September 2005.
Mark Bowyer, of Broxtowe Partnership Trust, which runs a number of community services, said: "Young people in the area have always struggled to find the employment they were looking for and I know that struggle has increased.
"They tend to get temporary contracts. They are dipping in and out of work – when they get an opportunity they take it, but it doesn't last very long."
City council deputy leader Councillor Graham Chapman said the council has invested £3 million in the Nottingham Jobs Fund to create work for young people. The authority is creating jobs in the tram construction and other investments, as well as taking on apprentices.
"We're taking an active role," he said. "We have got a task force. However we need to get to the bottom of the figures before drawing conclusions."
Why has youth unemployment has risen so sharply? Are you affected? E-mail newsdesk@nottinghampostgroup.co.uk or call 0115 905 1969
