Etiket: genç işsizlik

Urgent Action Needed: One in Six Young People at Risk of Unemployment in Five Years

A significant report has sent shockwaves through the UK, warning that one in six young people may find themselves out of education, employment, or tr

A significant report has sent shockwaves through the UK, warning that one in six young people may find themselves out of education, employment, or training within five years unless immediate action is taken. This alarming finding comes from a major review led by former minister Alan Milburn, who argues that the current education, health, and welfare systems are “no longer fit for purpose” in preparing young individuals for adult life. Milburn, in a forthcoming speech, will emphasize the potential emergence of a “lost generation,” predicting that the number of 16 to 24-year-olds disengaged from work, education, or training could balloon to 1.25 million by 2031.

The situation today is dire, with the unemployment rate for young people aged 16 to 24 hitting 16.2%, the highest it’s been since 2014. This statistic starkly highlights that the youth unemployment rate is more than three times the overall unemployment rate of 5%. It’s a worrying trend, as Milburn’s investigation into the NEETs—those Not in Education, Employment, or Training—revealed that there were approximately 957,000 young people classified as NEET from October to December 2025, which translates to about one in eight in that age group. Even more troubling, over half of those individuals are not actively seeking work.

As Milburn points out, the “first rung of the career ladder has thinned,” making it increasingly difficult for young people to gain the work experience employers demand. He’ll convey that this creates a vicious cycle where young job seekers are caught in a hopeless catch-22, with fewer opportunities to gain the necessary experience.

The government is already under pressure to act. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, who commissioned the report, is keen to save a generation from unemployment, highlighting measures like paying companies to hire young people and expanding apprenticeship programs. However, he acknowledges that “there is more to do,” which leaves many wondering about the effectiveness of current interventions.

Milburn also tackled a common misconception that young people are unwilling to work. His interim report revealed that 84% of NEETs surveyed expressed a desire for jobs or training, leading him to assert that the issue lies not with the youth but with a system stuck in the past. “This is not a failure of young people. It is a failure of a system,” he plans to state, emphasizing the need for a shift in priorities to help young people transition into the workforce.

Take Zaynah, for instance. At just 24, she’s been battling physical health issues and has not landed a job since finishing college. Despite applying for over 200 positions in the past year, she hasn’t received a single response. “It’s tough out here,” she says. “With my health problems, I don’t have much experience to offer.” To boost her chances, she’s considering volunteering to enhance her CV.

Then there’s Luke, who studied product design at Central St Martin’s University. This 23-year-old has cast his net wide, applying for more than 400 jobs with only one interview, which was for a cleaning position that he ultimately didn’t secure. “It’s humiliating,” he admits, visibly frustrated. “I have the knowledge and skills, but it’s just about getting that first break. The constant rejections can really get you down.” He’s now relying on benefits to get by.

On a more positive note, we have Rocky, who faced a year of unemployment before landing a job at Nando’s as a waiter. Fast forward three years, and he’s now an assistant manager. “I’m just 23 and I’m managing a team at Nando’s,” he beams, proud of his journey from being overlooked in school to thriving in the workplace. He credits his success to mentorship from a Nando’s manager and the support from the youth charity Spear.

The report paints a concerning picture for the future. In 2024/25, a staggering £25 was spent on benefits for young people for every £1 spent on employment support. It also pointed out that low and medium-skilled job opportunities in the UK have plummeted by 1.6 million in the past two decades, while high-skilled roles have increased by 6.3 million. The hospitality sector, a common entry point for young workers, has seen vacancies halved over the last four years.

Lord Simon Wolfson, the CEO of Next, recently shared that just two years ago, the retail giant would receive about 10 applications for every position. Now that number has jumped to 19, reflecting the fierce competition in the job market. Rain Newton-Smith from the Confederation of British Industry lamented the findings as a “tragic waste of potential,” asserting that reducing the high costs associated with creating jobs in the UK could open new doors for young people.

Some employers argue that hiring has become more challenging due to increased minimum wages and taxes, including higher National Insurance contributions. The government defends its tax policies, insisting they are necessary for the economy. Last year, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reversed proposed welfare reforms aimed at saving £5 billion annually by 2030 after facing backlash from his own Labour MPs.

While this review doesn’t offer solutions, the final report is expected to address potential paths forward. The Conservative Party criticized Labour for being too engrossed in internal politics to tackle the “generational crisis” Milburn warns about. Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately claimed that Labour’s policies have only made it harder for young people to step into the workforce.

The consensus is clear: reforms are urgently needed in the welfare system to address the high numbers of young people who are currently out of work or education. As John Boumphrey pointed out, the educational system is struggling to prepare students for the job market. With each graduate role now attracting about 140 applications, the competition is fiercer than ever.

And while young people in the UK are grappling with these challenges, the global situation remains precarious as well. In Afghanistan, a staggering three in four individuals are unable to meet their basic needs, reflecting a broader crisis of employment and opportunity worldwide.

So, what’s next? How will the government respond to these alarming statistics and the pressing needs of young people? Only time will tell, but one thing’s for sure—this issue isn’t going away anytime soon…

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber

Young People Left Behind: Milburn’s Stark Warning on Benefits vs. Jobs

The government spends a staggering 25 times more on benefits for young people than it does on helping them find jobs, according to Alan Milburn, the

The government spends a staggering 25 times more on benefits for young people than it does on helping them find jobs, according to Alan Milburn, the author of a significant review into youth inactivity. In a candid statement to the BBC, Milburn labeled this situation as “shameful”, especially with nearly a million young folks classified as NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training). He emphasized that a comprehensive “system reset” is urgently needed to tackle this crisis.

In an interview with Laura Kuenssberg, Milburn pointed out that the Labour Party must prioritize welfare reform, despite the government’s recent decision to shelve some planned benefit reforms due to pushback from their own members of Parliament. The first part of Milburn’s report, commissioned by the government, is set to be published this week, and it is anticipated to shake things up in the ongoing debate about youth unemployment.

Milburn’s estimates are derived from the funds allocated to 16 to 24-year-olds participating in key employment programs funded by the Department for Work and Pensions and Jobcentre Plus. In stark contrast, spending on welfare encompasses essential benefits like Universal Credit, Job Seekers’ Allowance, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and Disability Living Allowance. The complete methodology behind these calculations will also be revealed in the upcoming report.

As the former Labour health secretary under Tony Blair, Milburn was tasked by the government to investigate why so many young people find themselves in the NEET category, which has reached its highest level in over a decade. Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal that there were 957,000 young people categorised as NEET in the UK between October and December 2025, making up 12.8% of that age group. Alarmingly, more than half of these individuals were considered economically inactive, meaning they weren’t even on the lookout for work.

When Milburn’s initial findings come to light, he is expected to conclude that the situation is a result of a systemic failure on the part of the state. “This is a failure. This is the failure of the welfare system, but it’s a failure, I’m sorry, of the school system, the skills system, the health system,” he mentioned during the program. He stressed that rather than guiding young people towards learning or earning opportunities, the system is instead funneling them into a life dependent on benefits, which can have dire consequences for their futures.

In his report, Milburn will underline a key finding about the glaring disparity in spending: for every £25 allocated to keeping young people on benefits, only £1 is spent on employment support. That’s a staggering imbalance! Milburn plans to suggest that a complete overhaul of the system is necessary, which would include reforms to the benefits system itself. Directly addressing concerns from members of the Labour Party about welfare reforms, he asserted, “Labour is what it says on the tin. It’s the party of work. Work gives purpose. Work gives income. Work gives meaning.”

The report will also tackle the myriad challenges young people face when trying to secure employment, with Milburn noting the real increase in mental health issues affecting this demographic. However, he argues that having such diagnoses shouldn’t exempt young people from being expected or encouraged to enter the workforce. He recalled his own experience of job-hunting as a teenager, humorously reflecting on how he was let go from his first job delivering newspapers at just 13 years old in Newcastle. “Like all adolescent boys, guess what? I couldn’t get out of bed,” he chuckled, reminiscing about being sacked for not delivering the papers.

Milburn added that young people today are facing a tough job market; entry-level positions are dwindling, and many are sending out dozens, if not hundreds, of applications without a single reply. James Reed, the CEO of recruitment agency Reed Group, criticized this lack of communication from employers, stating, “It’s not good behaviour.” He highlighted the ongoing decline in job vacancies, making it even more difficult for young people to find work.

As we look at the broader picture, it’s worth noting that in Afghanistan today, a staggering three in four people cannot meet their basic needs. Here in the UK, the number of job vacancies has plummeted to its lowest level in five years, a trend attributed to the ripple effects of the Iran war on businesses. The Bank of England’s latest report sheds light on how our finances are likely to be affected by this turmoil. The decline in job opportunities has been largely fueled by a growing number of individuals who are no longer actively seeking work. Stella Black, for instance, reported applying for hundreds of jobs with little to no response.

So, what does the future hold for young people navigating this challenging job market? Are we going to see real changes, or will the cycle of unemployment continue? Only time will tell.

Kaynak: Orijinal Haber