ANGRY council leaders want Essex MPs to fight for Government cash to slash youth unemployment.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg announced a £50million cashpot to help cut down on youth unemployment across the country, but the money is restricted to cities.

Local leaders have now called for the cash to be made available for counties and smaller areas too.

Tendring Council leader Peter Halliday said Tendring had been snubbed by the decision.

He said: “It is absolutely right and proper that ministers should allocate some of the funding to those areas that need it most, such as Tendring.

“In our role as a community leader were are working hard with all our partners to address the difficult situation that many our young people find themselves in and we are trying, through various initiatives, to raise young people’s aspirations.”

Mr Halliday said it is vital that those efforts are backed by funding where it is being made available.

Essex County Council has also backed the calls for a cash boost.

Councillor Kevin Bentley said: “I have asked our MPs to urgently raise the issue with ministers as this seems to be a decision that supports cities and not where the need is.”