A shortage of summer jobs for young people in the UK is prompting concerns among employers and policymakers. In Woodhall Spa, business owner Tracy Walters, co-owner of Sweet Emporium, stated she is not considering hiring young people to help at her shop due to cost and perceived unreliability. "They have boyfriend problems and other problems. Sometimes they don't turn up on time and it's hard to get rid of them if they're unreliable," Walters said.
This sentiment is echoed by Victoria Atkins, Conservative MP for Louth and Horncastle, who attributes the difficulty young people face in securing employment to "the increase in taxes on businesses." She added, "I find it heartbreaking that businesses cannot afford to give young people the chances and opportunities we took for granted 10 and 15 years ago."
These concerns arise as a government review by former minister Alan Milburn found that one in eight young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK are not in education, employment, or training. Milburn warned, "We are at risk of a lost generation."
In response, the Department for Work and Pensions highlighted that job vacancies "continue to grow, with active job postings up 9.2% in June and up 11.4% year-on-year." The department also noted existing government support, stating, "Businesses already receive significant tax breaks for hiring young people through the National Insurance exemption for under-21s, and our £2.5bn youth employment package will support almost one million young people into work."
However, some businesses continue to hire young staff. Dave Charles, a business owner in Skegness, believes that "if you recruit the right young people they are great." He expressed concern for those missing out on work experience, stating, "We've all been that age and people should get a chance and, in their formative years, their start into the workplace should be a really good experience and that is what we try to create."