The UK government is set to invest an additional £1 billion to create over 200,000 jobs for young people, a response to the alarming rise in youth unemployment and inactivity, particularly following the pandemic. This initiative, announced by Pat McFadden, aims to reverse a troubling trend where apprenticeship starts among young people have decreased by 40 percent over the last decade.
Currently, almost one million young people are not earning or learning, with an increase of 248,000 in this demographic between 2021 and 2024. The government is implementing several measures to address this issue, including the Youth Jobs Grant, which will provide businesses with £3,000 for every young person they hire aged 18-24 who has been on Universal Credit and seeking work for six months.
Additionally, the Jobs Guarantee will be expanded to cover ages 18-24, creating more than 35,000 extra subsidised jobs. The government also aims to create 50,000 more apprenticeships as part of wider reforms to support youth employment.
The total investment into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy is projected to reach £2.5 billion over the next three years, supporting nearly one million young people and helping to deliver up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.
Foundation apprenticeships are set to expand into hospitality and retail starting in April 2026, while a new AI and automation practitioner apprenticeship will help workers harness artificial intelligence. The first cohort of this AI apprenticeship will begin this month.
Pat McFadden stated, “These measures will give life-changing opportunities to young people and significantly reverse the increase we inherited in those not in education, employment or training.” Chef Tom Kerridge welcomed the announcement, emphasizing the amazing opportunities it will provide for young people to learn a trade and earn along the way.
Labour leader Keir Starmer echoed the sentiment, asserting that backing young people is one of the most important investments for the country’s future. John Foster, a representative from the business sector, highlighted the moral and economic imperative for collaboration between business and government to tackle the rising number of individuals not in employment, education, or training.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the specific implementation timelines for these initiatives, but the government’s commitment to addressing youth unemployment is clear.