DWP Shifts Focus to Youth Unemployment in Benefits Crackdown
The Department for Work and Pensions has identified its key priority in a new benefits crackdown aimed at reducing the number of people out of work. While the government is seeing success in supporting over-50s to rejoin the UK workforce, the main aim now is tackling the alarming surge in youth unemployment.
Alarming Rise in NEET Figures
Recent analysis by the Centre for Social Justice reveals that nearly one million young people aged 16 to 24 were not in education, employment, or training between July and September 2025. Although this number fell by 2,000 from the previous quarter to 946,000, it remains 196,000 higher than five years ago. The CSJ warns that British youth face a toxic cocktail of rising employment taxes, incentives to claim benefits, and a broken migration system.
Success with Over-50s in Birmingham
New employment statistics for February show that the DWP is achieving local success with older workers. In Birmingham, jobcentres have helped more than 1,500 people in the 50-plus age group return to work, marking a 10% increase from last year. Natalie Cartmell, DWP Partnership Manager for Birmingham Jobcentres, stated, We're seeing vacancies across almost every sector, including apprenticeship opportunities. Jobcentre Plus teams are supporting claimants through:
- Community events
- Employer collaboration
- Targeted initiatives to remove barriers to work
Upcoming events include the Stirchley Jobs Fair on February 26 and a Men's Careers Event on March 13, offering tailored jobsearch support.
Government Initiatives and Youth Focus
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden emphasized the government's commitment, saying, Our £1.5 billion drive to tackle youth unemployment is a key priority. Measures include making it easier to find apprenticeships, creating 50,000 new apprenticeships, and expanding youth hubs. Locally, efforts include the Youth Careers and Jobs Fair on March 12 in Longbridge, connecting young people with employers across various sectors.
CSJ Recommendations for Urgent Action
The Centre for Social Justice urges the government to go further, citing its Wasted Youth report. It highlights that businesses are avoiding hiring young British workers due to rising costs, instead turning to non-EU migrants. The CSJ proposes several urgent measures:
- A Future Workforce Credit initiative for employers hiring NEETs, covering 30% of their salary, funded by removing Universal Credit's LCWRA health payment for under-22s.
- Scrapping disability benefits for lower-level mental health conditions, saving £7.4 billion by 2029/30, with reinvestment in NHS Talking Therapies.
- Establishing a new Work and Health Service to handle sick notes for employment exemptions.
These recommendations aim to get 120,000 young people into jobs and generate significant tax and welfare savings.
