Labour’s shadow work secretary, Liz Kendall, is set to declare that there will be “no option of a life on benefits” for young people under a Labour government in a speech on Monday. While the party plans to invest in careers and skills training, Kendall will warn that young people have a “responsibility” to take up the opportunity. The announcement comes against a background of rising numbers of 16-24 year olds who are not in work, education or training – an estimated 851,000 for October to December 2023, up 20,000 from the same period in 2022 and representing 12% of all 16-24 year-olds.
The Conservative Party criticized Labour’s stance, with a spokesperson noting the latter’s “abysmal record on youth employment.” The Tories have also attacked Labour’s plan to reform the apprenticeship levy; a tax on large employers that Labour intends to reform in order to invest in skills training. The Conservatives have warned that the reform will lead to a reduction in the number of people receiving on-the-job training.
Labour has previously outlined pledges regarding young people. The party has promised to invest in 1,000 new careers advisers, ensure specialist mental health support in all schools, and create Young Future hubs in all areas. The latter are intended to provide a range of services to vulnerable young people. If it comes to power, Labour has also committed to “overhaul access to work” for disabled young people.
Labour has not outlined whether it would introduce enforcement measures to accompany its new stance on a life on benefits, to be set out by Kendall
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More