Unemployment: Young People
The question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of establishing a joint taskforce with the retail industry to reduce youth unemployment.
Answered by Andrew Western
With over one million young people not in education, employment and training, this Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. The Government is investing an additional £2.5 billion over the next three years into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy.
This investment will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn, including through expanded network of Youth Hubs, earlier intensive support in Jobs Centres through a new Youth Guarantee Gateway, additional work experience and training opportunities, a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant and £2,000 apprenticeship hiring payment for employers, and a fully funded six month job for long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds.
The Minister for Skills recently met leaders in the retail industry in May 2025, to discuss how the sector can support the Youth Guarantee, which included increasing young people’s access to work experience, training and job opportunities.
The department also maintains relationships with major retail employers and representative bodies to support recruitment, skills development and employment opportunities. Through this engagement, DWP promotes opportunities for priority groups, including young people and works with employers to understand workforce challenges and support participation in Government employment programmes. The Department will continue to engage with the retail sector as it develops and delivers the Youth Guarantee.
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