Councils are not doing enough to prepare for the impact of the recession and a rise in social problems such as unemployment, drug addiction, alcoholism and domestic violence, according to the Audit Commission.
A report by the public sector watchdog, out today, has warned the first wave of the recession had caused business failures and jobless totals to soar, but a second wave – still to hit the UK – would lead to increased social pressures, from drug addiction to fly tipping, Reuters has reported.
“Many councils should be doing more to prepare for the expected social, financial and economic development challenges ahead,” the report said.
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Official figures today are expected to show unemployment among young people breaking the million mark, according to the Times. Nearly one-third (30%) of 16 and 17-year-old school-leavers are unemployed – the highest level since records began in 1992.
Overall unemployment is expected to have hit a 14-year high of 2.5 million in the three months to June, rising from 2.38 million people out of work in May.
