It’s clear that the current government is failing Britain’s young people, with an increasing number of them not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
This failure is particularly stark in our region, where the number of 16-24 year olds out of work due to ill health has risen by 150% since 2010, the second largest increase in any region in England and Wales.
The ongoing cost of living crisis, deterioration of public services, and housing issues like high rents and lack of affordable housing are compounding the challenges faced by young people. This has led to a growing concern among young people about their futures.
Young People With Ambition (Credits: BetterHelp)
To address these challenges, Labour has proposed a comprehensive plan to transform young people’s futures. This plan includes providing high-quality careers advice and work experience in schools, tackling poor mental health, and delivering a transformed youth employment offer.
It also seeks to improve opportunities for skills and training, particularly for young disabled people, by making changes to the apprenticeships levy and improving Access to Work.
These changes, if implemented, would significantly improve the life chances of young people in Northampton. Given the growing number of young people not in education or work, these measures are urgently needed to ensure that young people can realize their potential and contribute to the local economy.
