Britain's Jobless Youth: A Looming Crisis
A staggering one million young people across the UK are currently without a job or training, according to recent statistics. This bleak picture is not only concerning but also alarming, as it suggests that the country's job market is on the verge of collapse.
The government has announced plans to tackle rising levels of unemployment and worklessness, with Sir Charlie Mayfield's Keep Britain Working review set to outline recommendations for both the government and businesses. The issue at hand is twofold: a dramatic increase in youth unemployment and rising levels of ill health among working-age adults.
The statistics are eye-opening. Over 9 million people aged 16-64 are neither in employment nor looking for work, while nearly three million have long-term ill-health as their main reason for being economically inactive. The situation is particularly dire for young people, with one in five not in education, employment or training due to disability and ill health.
To make matters worse, unemployment among people with disabilities has skyrocketed, reaching its highest rate since before the Covid pandemic. This trend is deeply concerning, as it suggests that the country's employment system is failing those who need support the most.
Business leaders have made it clear that they cannot continue to do more without significant investment in skills training, apprenticeships, and further education. However, with public finances under pressure, the government has limited room for manoeuvre.
The chancellor's promise of a "youth guarantee" will be crucial in addressing this crisis. Investment in programs that support young people with work-limiting health conditions and those with disabilities is essential to creating the circumstances where employers feel empowered to take action.
If the UK matches the lowest youth unemployment rate among OECD countries, it could deliver a significant boost to the economy of £69 billion. The alternative – a continued rise in benefits spending – would be catastrophic for both the public finances and the economy.
Ultimately, this crisis requires a collective response from businesses, the government, and policymakers. It is time for us to come together to address this pressing issue, which will determine the future prosperity of our country's young people and workers with disabilities.
A staggering one million young people across the UK are currently without a job or training, according to recent statistics. This bleak picture is not only concerning but also alarming, as it suggests that the country's job market is on the verge of collapse.
The government has announced plans to tackle rising levels of unemployment and worklessness, with Sir Charlie Mayfield's Keep Britain Working review set to outline recommendations for both the government and businesses. The issue at hand is twofold: a dramatic increase in youth unemployment and rising levels of ill health among working-age adults.
The statistics are eye-opening. Over 9 million people aged 16-64 are neither in employment nor looking for work, while nearly three million have long-term ill-health as their main reason for being economically inactive. The situation is particularly dire for young people, with one in five not in education, employment or training due to disability and ill health.
To make matters worse, unemployment among people with disabilities has skyrocketed, reaching its highest rate since before the Covid pandemic. This trend is deeply concerning, as it suggests that the country's employment system is failing those who need support the most.
Business leaders have made it clear that they cannot continue to do more without significant investment in skills training, apprenticeships, and further education. However, with public finances under pressure, the government has limited room for manoeuvre.
The chancellor's promise of a "youth guarantee" will be crucial in addressing this crisis. Investment in programs that support young people with work-limiting health conditions and those with disabilities is essential to creating the circumstances where employers feel empowered to take action.
If the UK matches the lowest youth unemployment rate among OECD countries, it could deliver a significant boost to the economy of £69 billion. The alternative – a continued rise in benefits spending – would be catastrophic for both the public finances and the economy.
Ultimately, this crisis requires a collective response from businesses, the government, and policymakers. It is time for us to come together to address this pressing issue, which will determine the future prosperity of our country's young people and workers with disabilities.
One million young people without jobs or training in UK? That's a huge problem 
Need more support from gov & businesses 
Invest in skills training, apprenticeships & further ed 
Employers gotta feel empowered to hire 
Not just a "youth guarantee" promise 
Need action now 
thats crazy! like, what happened? didnt they get skils or evn a part-time job lol? its not just about them tho, its also bout the gov & bizncs needin to step up their game. we gotta invest in skills trainin & apprenticeships 4all so ppl can get employed ASAP! cant have ppl stuck on benefits 4eva 
. gov's promise of "youth guarantee" sounds promisin tho! lets see if dey follow thru 
It's not just about the economic impact, it's also about the human cost - what are we doing to support them? 
Can't we find ways to create more apprenticeships, internships, or even just basic job training programs?
. That's just a Band-Aid solution for a much deeper problem. We need real change, not some empty promise from the chancellor. I mean, have they actually talked to anyone in the field? It's all just spin and PR at this point.
...one million young ppl out of jobs? it's like they're just invisible now 
. We need 2 do more 4 them ASAP! 
I'M SO WORRIED ABOUT THIS CRISIS!!! ONE MILLION YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE UK ARE UNEMPLOYED OR NOT TRAINING?! THAT'S LIKE, A WHOLE CITY OF KIDS WHO CAN'T GET THEIR FOOT IN THE DOOR! 
IT'S SO UNFAIR THAT THEY'RE BEING LEFT BEHIND BY THE EMPLOYMENT SYSTEM. 
WE NEED TO GET MORE INVESTMENT IN SKILLS TRAINING, APPRENTICESHIPS, AND EDUCATION! 
1 million young people without a job or training? that's like, totally unacceptable 
i mean, what's the point of living in a country if you're just gonna struggle to find a gig out of school 
I'm not sure about this whole "youth guarantee" thing, mate... sounds like a PR stunt to me 
. Where are the actual stats on how many people it'll help? What's the plan for implementing it? And what's gonna happen if it doesn't work out?
. We need to address the root causes of unemployment, not just throw money at it.
. Until then, I'm skeptical about all these grand promises 
. And the government needs to invest more in programs that help young people with health issues, it's not fair on them 
... that's like a whole city full of talented & capable individuals just sitting idle 
1 million youngsters stuck in no job or training is insane! 
Businesses gotta step up their game too 
Like, what even is a 'youth guarantee'? Sounds like just another government scheme 
. And it's not just them, but also those with disabilities who are being left behind. I feel for these kids and adults who can't get a break due to their health issues 
It's like the system is failing those who need it most. I mean, businesses say they can't keep doing more without investment in skills training and apprenticeships, but the gov just has limited room for manoeuvre 