EmploymentNational 9h 51m left
Is the current Labour government responsible for the increase in youth unemployment?
UK youth unemployment for ages 16-24 reached 16.2% in April-June 2026, up from 14.3% the prior year, with 739,000 young people unemployed. The rate has risen steadily since 2021 and is now among the highest in Europe. Labour has been in government since 2024, with Andy Burnham becoming Prime Minister in July 2026; factors cited include minimum wage changes, fewer entry-level roles, and economic inactivity among NEETs now exceeding one million.
15 Opinions
White collar youth jobs are vanishing because of AI, blue-collar youth jobs are vanishing because we don't build or make much and no-one can afford to have work done on their houses.
Another Yes, but…. Youth unemployment in the UK fell substantially under the Conservatives (2010–2024) from the high levels left by the previous Labour government, it then rose again under Labour after the July 2024 election. It is not “totally Labour’s fault” in a vacuum, nor is the long-term record one of increase under the Conservatives but Covid first and Labour‘s anti growth anti jobs agenda is harming our Youths prospects. Labour never learns.
Labour being anti hospitality and taxing those businesses into oblivion has led the a huge impact in youth unemployment.
Minimum wage is not to blame for youth unemployment despite the rhetoric. I am all for success being rewarded however there is a point when greed kicks IMO that is wages over what the PM gets. Youth unemployment could be halved straight away if that kicked in as companies could put money towards apprenticeships
Or to be more precise, they have exacerbated and already dire situation. The cost of hiring workforce is astronomical and the rights attached to work make it difficult to let people go if not needed. In an uncertain world it's easier not to hire than run the risk of being saddled with unneeded labour.
Employers NICs has been Labour's magnus opus in ruining UK employment
Yes. But only partly. They haven't done enough to engage with the youth, or improve the actual job market they seem so eager to thrust people into. There aren't enough opportunities, and the pay is appalling compared to the rate of inflation. However, the responsibility mostly lies with the Tories over the decades of austerity politics; they helped to create this mess but labor are continuing it.
Covid hasn't helped with youth unemployment. Neither did all the cutbacks previous to that, it certainly isn't the fault of the Labour government, they are still dealing with the Conservative legacy, which could take a few years to correct.
The rise in youth unemployment didn't begin under Labour; it has climbed steadily since 2021 following years of austerity, gutted apprenticeship schemes, and an overwhelmed NHS failing to treat a youth mental health crisis. The argument of fair minimum wages driving employers away from youth employment ignores deeper structural issues: a collapsed entry-level job market and underinvestment in vocational training.