UK Youth backs Government’s pledge on ‘Youth Guarantee’

UK Youth has welcomed Government plans to tackle youth unemployment. 

In a keynote speech, announcing plans to “fundamentally reform Britain’s system of employment support, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall said: “Over the last 14 years, millions of people have been denied their rightful chance of participating in the labour market, and the hope of a brighter future. They’ve been excluded, left out, categorised and labelled. Britain isn’t working. We need fundamental reform so the department for welfare becomes a genuine department for work. 

“We’ll pursue an ambitious plan alongside the government’s goals to raise productivity and living standards and to improve the quality of work. To get Britain growing again, get Britain building again and get Britain working again.” 

It comes after the Department for Work and Pensions revealed one in eight young people are not in education, employment or work and Ms Kendall’s speech follows her announcement that the Government will, as part of its ‘Growth Mission’, publish a White Paper building on manifesto commitments of a three-pillared approach to support people into work:  

Ms Kendall’s pledge comes after Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson announced the launch of Skills England “to bring together the fractured skills landscape and create a shared national ambition to boost the nation’s skills” – a move also supported by UK Youth. 

UK Youth has welcomed the plans to establish a “youth guarantee of access to training, an apprenticeship, or support to find work for all young people aged 18-21”.  

Oscar Bingham, UK Youth acting director of research and impact, said: “Such focus on youth employment is a welcome sign. However, we would like to see the age range for the guarantee raised to 24. Far too many young people have slipped through the net in recent years and are at risk of long-term unemployment as a result of the pandemic, the rising cost of living, mental health crises and cuts to the vital support around them. 

“Labour’s manifesto pledged £85 million toward this programme of work, but the scale of the challenge is much greater. We look forward to seeing more detail on the Guarantee itself in due course.  

“We know from our own employability programmes the vital role that youth work plays, if adequately funded. Youth workers support young people to develop skills, connect with prospective employers, build their aspirations for work and gain meaningful work experience.

The success of any of the new Government’s commitments to young people will depend on how much it understands and acknowledges the role of youth work in supporting young people. Youth work is an untapped solution that, with the right investment, achieves incredible outcomes for young people that we now know are sustained long-term.

“UK Youth looks forward to continuing our work with the Government to unlock the power of youth work for all.”  

UK Youth is a leading charity with a vision that all young people are equipped to thrive and empowered to contribute at every stage of their lives. With an open network of more than 8,000 youth organisations and nation partners; UK Youth reaches more than four million young people across the UK and is focused on unlocking youth work as the catalyst of change that is needed now more than ever. To find out more, visit ukyouth.org 

UK Youth is involved in a range of programmes designed to help young people thrive, such as outdoor learning, physical literacy, social action and employability, including Hatch. For more on UK Youth’s programmes, see ukyouth.org/what-we-do/programmes