TUC boss warns fixing UK youth jobs crisis demands much more investment in support and training

Investment in support and training

Paul Nowak said ministers must increase funding for employment support to tackle Britain’s youth jobs crisis. He argued that spending on jobs support, education and training would be outweighed by economic gains and could reduce pressure on the welfare state.

Nowak said the country should invest in social infrastructure as well as physical infrastructure. He also warned that failing to support young people could increase welfare costs.

Milburn review and welfare choices

Andy Burnham has described the increase in young people outside education and work as both an economic and moral failure. He has said tougher benefit rules and more support for young people will be part of the government’s response to the review.

Political caution and public concern

Polling by Focaldata for the Jobs Foundation found that Britons ranked the youth jobs crisis as the country’s second-biggest problem, behind the cost of living. It ranked above NHS waiting lists, housing, crime and immigration.

Government awaits findings

A government spokesperson said ministers were determined to reverse the rise in youth unemployment, which they said had been developing for years. The spokesperson said further reform would follow Milburn’s review, which is due to be published in the autumn.