Politics · United Kingdom · 1 hr ago
UK expands youth job guarantee across Great Britain
The UK government will expand its youth job guarantee across Great Britain, after first testing it in six areas.
From April 2027, eligible young people will be offered support for 12 months instead of 18.
The programme is for people who are looking for work and claiming universal credit, a state benefit.
The government expects it to help more than 90,000 people into work by March 2029.
The move comes as nearly a million young people were not in work, education or training in the second quarter of 2026.
Former Labour MP Alan Milburn is due to publish a review on November 17 into rising youth inactivity; he has called for a legal guarantee of a job, training or employment support.
The government announced £2.5 billion over three years for the guarantee and other youth employment schemes, while welfare spending is projected to rise to £431 billion in 2031-32.
The British government will expand and accelerate its job guarantee programme for young people across all areas of Great Britain.
From April 2027, the programme will be available to participants for 12 months instead of 18 months.
The scheme is expected to help more than 90,000 people into work by March 2029.
The announcement comes ahead of a review into the causes of rising youth inactivity, due to be published on November 17.
The programme was first introduced on a trial basis in six areas of Britain earlier in 2026.
- Who
- The British government, through the Department for Work and Pensions.
- What
- It will expand and accelerate its youth job guarantee programme across Great Britain. From April 2027, participants will be eligible for 12 months rather than 18 months.
- When
- The expansion was announced ahead of a review due on November 17. The 12-month period will apply from April 2027.
- Where
- All areas of Great Britain.
- Why
- The government aims to increase pathways into work for young people and address rising youth inactivity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The job guarantee scheme was introduced on a trial basis in six areas of Britain.
The government announced £2.5 billion over three years for the guarantee programme and other youth employment schemes.
The government announced it would expand and accelerate the programme.
Alan Milburn's review into the causes of rising youth inactivity is due to be published.
The programme is due to become available to participants for 12 months rather than 18 months.
- Coverage
- All areas of Great Britain
- Programme duration
- 12 months from April 2027, down from 18 months
- Expected outcome
- More than 90,000 people into work by March 2029
- Trial
- Six areas of Britain
- Funding
- £2.5 billion over three years for the guarantee programme and other youth employment schemes
What people are saying
a legal guarantee of a job, training or employment support