Burnham warns of an economic catastrophe and moral failure over youth unemployment

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says nearly one million people aged 16 to 24 are not in education, employment or training, calling the situation an “economic catastrophe and moral failure.” Writing in The Times, he argues that the government should invest in young people’s success rather than rely on benefits, and make support start with their ambitions and the help needed to achieve them. He blames the crisis on Covid lockdowns, social media, an education system focused on university, too few job opportunities and failures by previous governments. Ministers are expected to announce tens of thousands of youth apprenticeships and placements, while Conservative Julia Lopez says Labour’s tax rises and red tape have damaged youth employment.