Though Andy Burnham has prioritised reducing youth unemployment (the number of NEETs) from the onset of his premiership, Chancellor John Healey is unlikely to be throwing any additional cash in this direction. Part of a Youth Guarantee – originating from the 2024 manifesto, Labour’s policies includes a range of ‘job support’ initiatives, such as interview … Continue reading John Healey is not going to splash money on unemployed youth.
Author: Martin Allen
NEETs, benefits and the welfare bill
Labour under Andy Burnham has softened some of its harsher rhetoric about young people on benefits - as recently as last December, Pat McFadden told the BBC that young people on benefits would need a “good reason” to decline one of the government's proposed work placements. But any genuine worry about a continued “lost generation” … Continue reading NEETs, benefits and the welfare bill
‘No entry’. As AI advances, graduate prospects decline further
Prolonged changes in the economy during the last 50 years have resulted in a continued decline in ‘youth jobs’ . Employment opportunities for post-war school leavers included apprenticeships - at their peak, up to I in 5 (invariably boys) started one every year - and a variety of openings for ’office juniors’ (more likely girls). … Continue reading ‘No entry’. As AI advances, graduate prospects decline further
Do we really need anymore vocational courses?
Andy Burnham is right in his comments about the narrow ‘academic’ curriculum, imposed on schools by Michael Gove. The Francis Review has recommended some changes but its main foundations will still be in place. He’s also right about the current low status given to technical and vocational courses. Yet there are, despite what some of … Continue reading Do we really need anymore vocational courses?
‘Manchesterisation’ ?
Despite the fanfare around the Milburn report, the Labour frontbench has said little new or shown any real urgency. The DWP put a junior minister on TV this week to officially announce the government plan to offer 300,000 work placements (these can be relatively short, even just a week). This decision, part of Labour’s Youth … Continue reading ‘Manchesterisation’ ?
Another ‘Lost generation’? Alan Milburn and youth joblessness.
Well before coming to office, Labour signalled its intention to address the ‘NEETs problem’. In government, it commissioned ex-minister Alan Milburn (previously employed by the Tories to try and improve social mobility) for a 'review'. On the day his ‘interim’ report was published, ONS figures showed over a million 16–24-year-olds as NEET (13.5%) but 15.8% … Continue reading Another ‘Lost generation’? Alan Milburn and youth joblessness.
Youth unemployment: a major push or just a tweak?
Employment minister Pat McFadden has announced additions to Labour’s 'Youth Guarantee' Businesses will receive £3,000 for every person between the ages 18 and 24that they employ who has been searching for a job for six months or more, Small and medium firms will be paid £2,000 for every new apprentice they take on. An existing … Continue reading Youth unemployment: a major push or just a tweak?
Tumbling down the labour market. Another ‘lost generation’?
Labour market data released this week shows the UK jobless rate increasing to a post-pandemic peak of 5.2 %. According to the Office for National Statistics, youth unemployment has now reached 16.1% the highest in more than a decade even if it's always been much higher than unemployment generally. These numbers for 16–24-year-olds are of … Continue reading Tumbling down the labour market. Another ‘lost generation’?
Free AI training for 10 million workers, but will it save the jobs of the future?
Barely three months after publishing yet another ‘skills’ white paper—close to 100 pages diagnosing the UK’s long‑running skills crisis and promising new technical qualifications, NEET initiatives and rebrands for further and higher education—the government has unveiled something very different. And arguably, something that should be closer to the reality facing workers in the 2020s. The … Continue reading Free AI training for 10 million workers, but will it save the jobs of the future?
As it all goes pear shaped, can education take a new path?
Labour market statistics for December 2025, put unemployment for young people not in full-time education at over 1 in 8, with another 1 in 6 ‘economically inactive’. Youth unemployment has historically been much worse than for other groups, but these high levels of are symptomatic of broader changes in the labour market, the economy and … Continue reading As it all goes pear shaped, can education take a new path?
