PREVIEW

Burnham Calls Youth Employment Crisis A 'Moral Failure’. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned that the number of young people outside education, employment or training represents an "economic catastrophe and a moral failure”. Almost one million people aged between 16 and 24 are currently classified as Neets, according to the latest official figures. Writing in The Times, Burnham said the government should invest in helping young people succeed rather than paying for failure through the benefits system. He said benefits should become the "backstop, not the starting point”. The government is expected to announce measures this week aimed at creating thousands of job opportunities for young people. Burnham blamed several factors for the problem, including the impact of Covid lockdowns, social media, an education system focused heavily on university and a lack of opportunities in the jobs market. The Conservatives have described the government's youth employment strategy as a “disaster”.
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