Young individuals on advantages to be helped into jobs with £820 million enhance
The cash includes funding for training and work experience in construction, hospitality, and health and social care for 350,000 young people on universal credit
Young people on benefits will be offered job opportunities in construction and hospitality to help them take that “vital step” in the work.
Ministers have announced an £820 million package aimed at helping almost one million get off benefits and into well-paid work.
The cash includes funding for training and work experience in construction, hospitality, and health and social care for 350,000 young people on universal credit.
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Others will be offered “intensive support” to help them find work, while Government-backed guaranteed jobs will be provided for up to 55,000 young people from spring 2026.
However, those that refuse to engage with the help on offer without a good reason could lose some of their benefits.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed. When given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them.
“That’s why we are introducing a range of reforms to help young people take that vital step into the workplace or training and to go on and make something of their lives.
“This funding is a downpayment on young people’s futures and the future of the country, creating real pathways into good jobs and providing work experience, skills training and guaranteed employment.”
Alongside this, Youth Hubs – centres where young people can receive help to get them back on track – will be expanded to every local area of Great Britain, bringing the total to over 360. More than 1,000 young people are expected to start a job in the first six months alone.
The extra funding comes amid a rise in “Neets”, 16-24-year-olds not in employment, education or training. Some 940,000 young people are now considered Neet, a rise of 195,000 in the last two years driven mainly by rising rates of sickness and disability.
The Resolution Foundation has warned that the figure is on course to reach one million for the first time since the aftermath of the financial crisis, when it peaked at 1.2 million in 2012.
Further plans for young people are expected to be set out in the coming week as the Government prepares to publish its national youth strategy.
