Wales has one of the highest youth unemployment rates in the UK

Figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal that the unemployment rate for 16 to 24-year-olds in the UK as a whole in 2015 was 14.4 per cent, slightly lower than the 17.9 per cent who were unemployed in London.

In Wales this figure was 17.4 per cent.  

The North East was found to have the highest unemployment rate for the age group of anywhere in the UK, at 18.3 per cent, compared with just 11.2 per cent in the East of England, the lowest rate.

A report by the charity EY Foundation says "stark variations" in youth unemployment levels across the UK could have a knock-on effect on local economic growth.

But the study found youth unemployment had dropped markedly over the last five years, and that levels are back to where they were before the global financial crisis and subsequent recession.

The findings come after commentators warned the vote to leave the EU had exposed deep social divisions across the country.

In her first statement on the steps of Downing Street, the new Prime Minister Theresa May promised to "make Britain a country that works for everyone".

Mark Gregory, EY's chief economist, said: "Youth unemployment rates have fallen from the peaks we saw during the recession, when 40% of the UK's 16-17 year olds were facing unemployment.

However, a stubbornly high number of young people remain excluded from the labour market, which could be further exacerbated by a period of weaker economic growth in these uncertain times ahead.

"History has shown us that young people are more exposed to economic volatility and industry restructuring than the population as a whole.

"The skills agenda is fast becoming one of the biggest priorities for UK business, with Brexit also likely to impose some restrictions to the free movement of labour in the future.

"It has never been more important to ensure the UK has the right mix of skills and talent, both nationally and locally, and young people are core to this."