FEARS of a Lost Generation were raised yesterday as youth jobless figures soared to an all-time high of 952,000.
MPs, union leaders and business chiefs united to demand more action to save the nation's kids from a life on the scrapheap.
The shocking statistics were revealed as Britain's unemployment total hit 2.49million - the highest in 15 years.
Two in five of those on the dole are aged 16 to 24 - and many lack the skills to compete for work.
The number of kids looking for a job has rocketed by 6,000 since August.
Alarmingly, a THIRD of teens aged 16 to 18 are now unemployed.
Dave Prentis, leader of the giant Unison union, said: "More needs to be done to prevent a lost generation.
"It is very damaging for young people to be out of work for lengthy periods."
Problems
Tories claimed the official figures show the economy is "on a knife-edge".
Shadow work and pensions secretary Theresa May said: "Ministers need to stop trying to rewrite unemployment figures and start tackling the problem."
Lib Dem Steve Webb said: "The Government's headline-grabbing announcements haven't even scratched the surface of the problems young people face in this recession."
Employment Minister Jim Knight unveiled plans to create 2,800 new jobs for youngsters.
They will be hired as youth workers, events managers, IT repairers, lab assistants and energy specialists under the Future Jobs Fund.
Overall unemployment has risen by 21,000 since August. Young women with no qualifications were worst hit - with 46 per cent out of work.
More than 127,000 private sector jobs have gone since June - but 23,000 MORE public service jobs were created.
It doesn't feel like real work.