Massaging the unemployment figures by raising the leaving age to 17?

Question

I can see no other reason for doing this and they will be in time for the run up to the next election.

Answer 1

As  soon  as  i  heard   this i  thought  'massaging'  the figures again!

Answer 2

uhh that will only leave more people unemployed...

Answer 3

While the reasons for doing this are sound, I am deeply suspicious of the way it will be implemented - there are contracts for private sector service providers neatly hidden away somewhere - and yes, it will certainly have the effect of camouflaging rising unemployment.