Stories

Wed, 27 May 2026

Wed, 27 May 2026 One in six young people will not be in work or training in five years without action, report warns

A major review examining the causes of rising youth unemployment says getting on the career ladder is now "out of reach" for many.

*A former minister's report claims that the education, health and welfare systems are "no longer fit for purpose" in preparing young people for adult life.
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*The number of 16-24 year olds out of work, education or training set to rise to 1.25 million by 2031, a 30% increase on current levels.
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*Young people are not to blame for the youth unemployment crisis, but rather a system stuck in the past that fails to enable their participation in the labour market.
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*A report has found that £1 spent on employment support for young people is matched by £25 spent on benefits.
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*The number of low-and medium-skilled jobs in the UK has fallen by 1.6 million in the past 20 years, while higher-skilled positions have risen by 6.3 million.
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*Employers say it's become harder to hire young people due to higher minimum wages and increased taxes, but experts argue that reducing costs would open up more opportunities.
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