THE Liverpool city region is to submit a joint bid for cash to help young people at risk of long -term unemployment.

The money would come from the Government’s new £1bn Future Jobs Fund to create 150,000 jobs across the country.

Liverpool Council leader Warren Bradley said: “This is already in hand, with a discussion across the city region.

“Like all recent government initiatives, the devil is in the detail, and I hope it doesn’t raise the hope of people, only to be dashed in the future.”

Liverpool opposition leader Joe Anderson has put down a motion to the council calling for the leaders of the six authorities across the region to unite on the matter.

He said: “The Labour Government has put up the money, now it is up to us to come up with the ideas as to how we can give real jobs in the community to young people who are out of work.

“I want to hear people’s ideas for what needs doing locally, but I want the council to get at the front of the queue.

“That’s why I’m going to be putting forward a motion to the council about this fund, to make sure yet another opportunity isn’t missed.”