Amanda Martin: How we make sure every young person gets the best chance in life

Now that kids have gone back to school and Parliament returns, I’ve been thinking about how we make sure every young person in Portsmouth gets the best chance in life.

First, a huge congratulations to everyone across Portsmouth who got their exam results this summer. I was at Admiral Lord Nelson School and the City of Portsmouth College on results day, and it was brilliant to meet so many young people who had worked incredibly hard and were excited about what comes next.

There’s a stereotype that young people today are lazy or apathetic. I just don’t see it.

The young people I meet in Portsmouth want to work. They want to earn. They want to build a career and do something they can be proud of. The problem is that too often the opportunities aren’t there.

Alan Milburn’s recent report found that more than one million young people are not in education, employment or training. That’s 15.8% of 18-24-year-olds. Behind that number are real people who want to get on but are struggling to find a way in.

And that’s not their fault.

Portsmouth has always been a city that makes things, builds things and gets things done. From the Dockyard to our colleges and small businesses, there are brilliant employers here who need the next generation coming through.

When Louise Haigh, the First Secretary of State, came to Griffon Marine Shipyard last month, she announced reforms to make sure taxpayers’ money supports British jobs, skills and opportunities. If we’re spending public money in Portsmouth, I want to see Portsmouth benefit from it with good jobs, apprenticeships and opportunities for local young people.

I also have a responsibility to do my bit. I have young people doing work experience with me throughout the year and this summer I hosted a political summer school at Airbus to show young people the different ways they can get involved and make a difference.

I’m proud that young people from Portsmouth are getting those opportunities, but I want to do much more.

Because every time I meet a young person with ambition, I’m reminded that the talent is here. I want them to look at Portsmouth and see a future for themselves here and not feel that they have to leave to find one.

That’s what opening doors is really about because if they cannot see it, they cannot do it.