UK pledges 300,000 youth placements after 'lost generation' warning

LONDON: The United Kingdom (UK) will create additional work experience and training placements for young people, ​the government said on Friday, a day ‌after a review warned the country risked a “lost generation” locked out of work.

The UK government had previously announced ​a £2.5 billion ($3.36 billion) youth employment support package, unveiled ​earlier this year, which the government said ⁠at the time would help create 200,000 ​jobs.

• The government will fund 300,000 placements including ​work experience and short government-funded programmes for jobseekers claiming benefits
• Placements will focus on sectors such as construction, health ​and social care, and hospitality
• The initiative follows ​a review led by former minister Alan Milburn, which ‌warned ⁠Britain risks a “lost generation” without urgent action
• The report said the number of 16- to 24-year-olds not in employment, education or training has ​risen to ​just over ⁠1 million, or one in eight, and could reach one in ​six within five years
• It highlighted a ​sharp ⁠decline in entry-level jobs and work experience opportunities
• The report said public spending is skewed, with about ⁠25 ​pounds spent on benefits ​for every pound on employment support for young people