Topic
Joblessness among people aged roughly 15–24, a core policy concern; in the UK it overlaps with NEETs, those not in education, employment or training.
Centre for Cities analysis of 2021 census data puts the Neet rate at 15.7% in England's 10 smallest cities and towns, against 13.9% in the nine largest. The gap is 1.8 points, and London and Birmingham still have the most young Neets by count.
Reality
Work Foundation researchers say a Community Jobs Fund could create up to 54,000 paid jobs for young people in the UK's weakest labour markets. They argue the government's Youth Guarantee is not sufficient to address the shortage of entry-level jobs in struggling areas.
Reality
UK hospitality employers pledged up to 100,000 placements of up to four weeks for Neets aged 18 to 24 over three years. It follows a retail pledge of the same size last month, so ministers now hold two matching commitments from separate sectors.
Reality
John Healey did not confirm any Budget measures to retail bosses, while the BRC says their taxes rose 20 per cent in two years. Both trade bodies called the talks positive, and that is the only support on the record for a plan that assumes a cut.
Reality
Alan Milburn will urge a national pre-apprenticeship route for England, where as few as one in five apprenticeship starts go to 16- to 18-year-olds. Employers who recruit school-leavers face the readiness gap he describes now, while his remedy is still only a recommendation.
Reality
A three-week taxpayer-funded pilot in Preston is training young people who are not in education, employment or training, and the apprenticeships that follow put the cost of real competence on JD Sports, Heinz and Agilysys.
Reality