A STARTLING one-in-ten young people in York spend their days doing nothing, according to Government figures.

Fresh statistics reveal nine per cent of 16 to 19-year-olds do not have jobs, college courses or training schemes to attend.

It means that instead of fulfilling their potential as the most active members of society, they are at risk of falling into the poverty trap of crime, drugs and ill-health.

Nationally, 11 per cent of people in the age group having nothing to do on a regular day-to-day basis. In North Yorkshire, the figure is six per cent and in East Riding of Yorkshire it is seven per cent.

The data, published by the Department for Education and Skills, revealed the scale of the challenge facing councils and the Government as they attempt to improve the skill base.

City of York councillor Viv Kind, who was vice-chairman of the council's now-defunct Young People in York Scrutiny Panel, and is shadow spokesperson for education and children's services, said she was surprised that York's figure was so high.

She said: "We are still talking about small numbers compared to elsewhere. The important thing is to find things that engage young people and we need to start early.

"It is not good for the young person themselves, it is a waste of their time, but also there is the risk that they become bored and they will congregate together. Then some - but certainly not all - will get up to unacceptable behaviour.

"I have spent my working life and my life as a councillor working with young people and most of them are great. One or two get up to mischief, and people see all young people that way.

"If a young person is in this situation they need to contact the Connexions service or the Youth Inquiry Service for advice."

Ministers also revealed seven per cent of York's 20 to 24-year-olds were not engaged in employment, education or training. But this was better than North Yorkshire (14 per cent), East Riding (15 per cent) and the national average (16 per cent).

The figures were released by Skills Minister Ivan Lewis in a Parliamentary written answer.

Hugh Bayley, Labour MP for City of York, said the figures had improved in recent years.

He said: "These figures show that York is doing well at getting young people to stay in education or helping them find jobs.

"For 20 to 24-year-olds, the figures show York is one of the best in the country for getting people into work, college or school. For 16 to 19-year-olds, it has one of the lowest number of young people without anything to do."

Updated: 09:57 Friday, March 04, 2005