Prime Minister Andy Burnham has outlined plans for a sweeping overhaul of youth employment support in Britain, promising a “new social contract” that will guarantee mental health help, work placements and apprenticeships to young people – while expecting them to take up the offer in return, according to a government statement released on 15 October.
Speaking at the King’s Trust Centre in Manchester, Burnham acknowledged that nearly one million young people across the United Kingdom are currently not in education, employment or training. “I don’t know who you blame for that, but I don’t blame young people,” he said, criticising cuts to youth services, school support and mental health provision that began in the late 2000s.
The Prime Minister said his government is preparing a major response to an expected report from Alan Milburn next month. The initiative will mark what Burnham described as “a whole government, whole society change in the way we support young people”.
Guaranteed support with obligation to participate
Under the proposed system, young people would receive a guarantee of mental health support when needed, rather than waiting months or years for help. The government also plans to reform the education system to offer every young person a clear path suited to their abilities, whether academic or technical.
Burnham highlighted the T level reform introduced by the previous government as a model, particularly its 45-day work placements for 16 to 18-year-olds. He wants similar quality work experience available to all young people who want it, alongside a significant expansion of apprenticeships.
“At the moment, you go to the benefits system, you get three things: an assessment, a payment and then a goodbye. And you then you are just forgotten to some degree,” Burnham told the audience. “That just isn’t good enough.”
The Prime Minister made clear that the new support comes with expectations. Young people will be required to take up offers of help and training. “We want to invest in young people. And then at the same time, we don’t want necessarily then to be supporting people out of work. We can’t do both,” he said.
Hospitality and retail sectors pledge jobs
As part of the initiative, the government announced a partnership with UK hospitality to create 100,000 jobs and work placements in pubs, restaurants and hotels. Major retailers including Marks & Spencer and Sainsbury’s have also committed to the scheme.
Burnham, who served as Mayor of Greater Manchester before becoming Prime Minister, referenced his own experience of youth unemployment in the early 1990s, when he struggled to find work after university and eventually started as an unpaid reporter. He also pointed to policies he introduced as mayor, such as free bus travel for 16 to 18-year-olds, as examples of practical help that makes a difference.
The Prime Minister criticised previous governments for focusing too heavily on university as the main route for young people, saying the education system should wire itself to support both academic and technical paths equally. He argued that young people should be “our priority for investment” rather than targets for cuts.
What this means for Poles in the UK
Polish residents in Britain aged under 25 will be eligible for the new support measures once they are introduced, provided they meet residency and eligibility requirements that apply to benefits and employment programmes. This includes young Poles with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
The guarantee of faster mental health support could particularly benefit young Polish people struggling with isolation, language barriers or cultural adjustment, who currently face the same long NHS waiting lists as other residents. Work placements and apprenticeships in hospitality and retail may offer entry routes into the UK jobs market for those whose English is still developing, since these sectors often provide on-the-job training.
However, the reciprocal obligation to take up offers of work or training will also apply. Young Poles claiming benefits may face sanctions if they refuse suitable placements or support. Details of the new system, including timelines and enforcement mechanisms, will become clearer after the Milburn report is published next month.
Those interested should monitor GOV.UK for updates and speak to their Jobcentre work coach about eligibility. Polish community organisations may also provide guidance once the reforms are implemented.
