The government has announced plans to address the rising number of young people out of work due to long-term sickness. There has been a 29% increase in sickness amongst 16-24 year olds since the pandemic. Government statistics indicate that nearly 900,000 young people are now not in education, employment, or training (NEET). This raises concerns, not just for their well-being, but also about the future workforce.
Minister for Employment, Alison McGovern, has pledged a fundamental shift in employment policies with the upcoming Get Britain Working White Paper. The government aims to create a system that focuses less on welfare and more on employment, offering more support to help people into work.
What does this mean for businesses?
For business owners, this could be good news. Many sectors are struggling to fill vacancies, with the Minister acknowledging that businesses are "crying out for staff" while large numbers of young people remain unemployed.
Key proposals outlined include:
- A Youth Guarantee: A commitment to provide work, apprenticeships, or skills training for young people who need it. This could mean a larger pool of young, trained workers for businesses to hire from.
- Overhaul of jobcentres: Jobcentres are expected to be revamped to better connect people with jobs and training opportunities, helping match the right candidates with the right roles.
- Support for long-term sick: As part of a plan to reduce NHS waiting times, the government is aiming to help people who are long-term sick return to work, potentially expanding the available workforce.
A boost for the economy
This initiative is part of the government’s frequently stated mission for economic growth. The Prime Minister has said that he wants the UK to have the highest sustained growth in the G7. For your business, especially if you are in an industry facing recruitment challenges, these measures could provide a much-needed boost in accessing workers.
For more info see: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/lockdown-generation-consigned-to-the-scrapheap-will-get-life-changing-support-into-work-vows-minister--2