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.
Tag: economics
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
‘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’ ?
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’?
Education, the Bank and the bond markets
Labour’s economic problems are compounded by the neo-liberal model it has enslaved itself to. Without the economic growth the government is praying for, there isn’t enough taxation revenue to cover even its limited public spending intentions. 'Unforeseen' events continue to undermine the ‘headroom’ it has to manoeuvre, without resorting to the tax increases or spending … Continue reading Education, the Bank and the bond markets
The White Paper, immigration, automation.
In press releases leading up to the recent White Paper Getting Britain Working, Labour frontbenchers argued that the high levels of economic inactivity, particularly the increased number of NEETs, prevents the UK economy from growing. The question is whether the various support measures outlined in the WP are likely to backed up by more detailed … Continue reading The White Paper, immigration, automation.
