Young People and Work

Lord Palmer of Childs Hill Excerpts

Thursday 4th June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

I do agree with my noble friend. The report rightly identified the systemic issues that have led to one million young people not being able to earn or learn. It is therefore this Government’s responsibility to take action—as we have already started to do—through the education system, through our youth services and through our welfare and health systems to address the wide range of issues that are leading to young people’s failure to start their working and learning lives in a way that will lead to the sorts of futures we all want them to have.

[Lord Palmer of Childs Hill (LD)]

My Lords, as we have said, the Milburn review found that one million young people are now classed as NEET—the highest level for 12 years. The report warns that without further action, one in six young people could be in this position within five years. Hospitality vacancies alone have halved in four years. The Government’s own youth jobs grant will reach a miserable 60,000 young people over three years. This is a sticking plaster on a wound the Government helped create. Does the Minister agree that the jobs tax is hammering the very entry-level opportunities on which young people rely? Mention has been made of national insurance contributions. Could the Minister at least confirm that the Government will be consulting on a lower employer NIC band for workers earning between £5,000 and £9,100? The Minister’s comment about workers under 21 does not cover that wide gamut of people. I would like to feel that there is consultation as to how this is affecting the employment of young people.