Business Hiring

Lord Livingston of Parkhead Excerpts

Monday 1st June 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Livingston of Parkhead (Non-Afl)]

My Lords, I talk to a number of businesses and work in very major businesses, and I see the issues that they are having about employing young people just now. When will the Government accept that, in addition to technology changes, the raft of legislation that makes it more expensive, more difficult and more risky to recruit young people is an issue? At what point will the Government look back and say, “We want growth, we want to employ young people and we want to give them a chance, so we will have another look at our legislation because we got it wrong”?

[Baroness Lloyd of Effra (Lab)]

Where I can agree is that we want to create an economy where people feel confident to employ young people. I draw some figures and analysis to this House’s attention: under the last Government, between 2021 and 2024, the number of young NEETs increased by 250,000. I mention that because the noble Lord drew attention to measures that have happened subsequently, thus putting his analysis into question. Businesses are able to employ NICs reliefs for those under 21 and under-25 apprenticeships. I highlight those changes on NICs. Obviously, the NICs changes that came in last year do not apply to young people, so I do not accept the noble Lord’s analysis. I highlight to the House the measures we are taking to support young people and give them opportunities so that they get experience of work—employers mention that young people should have good experience of work in order to get their employability up.