Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Labour calls for a ‘jobs promise’ for youth under 25 to address the unemployment challenge

Labour calls for a ‘jobs promise’ for youth under 25 to address the unemployment challenge

THE Labour Party has called for a ‘jobs promise’ for all those under 25 who have been away from work, education or training for more than six months, including furloughed workers.

The plan includes bringing forward funding for existing employment schemes and guarantees a work or training placement for young unemployed people. A similar scheme would be offered for those over 24 years old who have been unemployed for 12 months.


Analysis from the House of Commons Library also revealed that black, Asian and ethnic minority youngsters are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as their white peers.

According to Labour, the government’s struggling Kickstart scheme has created just 2,000 placements in six months. Labour analysis has shown that while 300 young people are losing their jobs every day, the chancellor’s Kickstart scheme is in fact providing opportunities for just one in every 100 young people out of work.

The number could jump even higher if the job retention scheme ends too soon with 850,000 under 25s furloughed.

The party has urged for a smart extension to the job retention scheme to prevent a spike in unemployment that will overwhelm employment support services.

Shadow employment minister Seema Malhotra MP has demanded a plan that matches the scale of the unemployment challenge as a new Labour party analysis revealed that the number of young people at risk of long-term unemployment has risen by more than a third this year.

According to new projections, half a million young people could be out of work for more than six months by 2022.

“Throughout the pandemic, young people have been let down by this government and its failure to act risks creating a generation scarred by unemployment," said Seema Malhotra MP.

“Everyone deserves the opportunity to achieve their potential. We need a plan that matches the scale of the challenge, and helps to rebuild our country and spread prosperity across every region and nation of the UK.”

The latest ONS employment figures show that 196,000 young people have been out of work for more than 6 months, up more than 35 per cent from the same time last year.

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less