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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Nearly 1m young people out of work

708 replies

Starfeesh · 26/02/2026 13:21

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62gzl2yl24o

AIBU to be concerned that a life on benefits seems to be a viable option, and glad Labour are bringing in compulsory work placements?

A young man looks at his phone while sitting at a computer in his home. He looks weary.

Young people out of work, training and education edges closer to one million

People at the start of their careers are particularly affected by the UK's weak job market.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c62gzl2yl24o

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
ThingsAreNotWhatTheyWere · 26/02/2026 18:54

somuchbedding · 26/02/2026 18:38

People aren’t getting taxed to the hilt because of 16 yr olds not working! As I said 3.5m over 50s are economically inactive.

Well, speaking as someone in that age bracket who is not economically inactive but not as economically active as I was before my stroke, it's entirely health-related. While it won't account for every case, I'm sure I'm far from alone in that.

123stay · 26/02/2026 18:56

frozendaisy · 26/02/2026 18:20

Yeah I agree with this up to a point

some YouTubers are poison and watching online content can be addictive to some growing minds. And social media is a bit of a wild west at the moment.

But let’s not throw out the baby with the bath water!

So online content is fun, educational, entertaining, generous and those who can use and promote this influential media in positive ways, with great content and override the AI slop do have skills and talents needed in this modern world.

Point taken about some of the slightly toxic ones, but there are loads of YouTubers making fun, educational videos about all sorts of things. It’s a shame Tom Scott stopped his channel as he always had something new and interesting.

Allisnotlost1 · 26/02/2026 18:56

frozendaisy · 26/02/2026 18:33

I don’t know
But it’s not beyond the imagination to think there are application form psychologists who are employed to create questions which give indications of a person’s social and emotional personality. Especially if you have to do it online live (no googling AI out of it)

Of course, but you were defending the forms currently in use by retailers - which are pretty obviously not designed by psychologists.

somuchbedding · 26/02/2026 18:56

@ThingsAreNotWhatTheyWere well of course some of those will be health related but all?

Shatteredallthetimelately · 26/02/2026 18:56

Ablondiebutagoody · 26/02/2026 18:35

I think that people care because they don't feel that they should be taxed to the hilt to pay for it

Agree wholeheartedly with this, but unfortunately it's not the taxpayer that has the say, all we have is put downs when we express a view on anything to do with the subject.

Wynter25 · 26/02/2026 18:58

Ablondiebutagoody · 26/02/2026 13:32

Labour won't bring in compulsory work placements. All the shitty schemes in the World won't make a jot of difference when it now costs so much to employ young people.

The deal forever has been "yes, you are young, have no experience, will mess up, will take time to train.......but you are cheap so I will take you on and see how you go". That's not the case anymore. My company always took on school leavers but we haven't done that for years. Might as well employ somebody experienced. And the last thing I would want is some divvy who is forced to be here on a compulsory placement.

Over generous benefits don't help either. Welfare should be slashed.

Over generous benefits. You having a laugh

Pointofsingularity · 26/02/2026 18:58

Allisnotlost1 · 26/02/2026 18:43

Disability is identified in 45% of NEETs from lower working class backgrounds, compared to 22% of those from higher professional backgrounds.

https://socialmobility.independent-commission.uk/all-neets-are-not-the-same-social-mobility-commission-warns-government-review/

OK, but that’s not consistent with what you posted….

somuchbedding · 26/02/2026 18:59

@ThingsAreNotWhatTheyWere and if the majority of the 3.5m economically inactive are incapacitated because of health then that obviously comes back to my previous point of cost to taxpayers…

CandidLurker · 26/02/2026 19:05

Feel sorry for young people these days who do want to work. It’s starting to feel like the 1980’s when there were few part-time jobs for students/young people and there were 3 million adults unemployed. There were no jobs. There wasn’t the coffee shop/eating out culture we have now. I took work wherever I could get it eg a couple of weeks work over Christmas at Sainsbury’s packing bags and stacking shelves. Paid out of the petty cash box. It was possible to sign on but the money was dire. You were always better off working if you could get it. However, sadly I think those options are now being eroded. So many pubs and cafes closing. Do supermarkets take on casual workers any more?

taxguru · 26/02/2026 19:11

Another2Cats · 26/02/2026 16:28

"Labour are bringing in compulsory work placements"

I'm sure that I'm not alone in remembering the Youth Opportunities Programme (YOP) which then became the Youth Training Scheme (YTS).

This was a Labour (and then Conservative) scheme to give unemployed school leavers either one or two years of training and work placements.

Neither of these schemes were very successful and it has been argued that YOP and YTS trainees often replaced employees on full wages and also traditional apprenticeships as companies were subsidised to take on these trainees.

Of course some employers abused the YTS and JTS schemes, but at the same time, lots of youngsters really benefitted from being in the workplace, gaining experience, gaining skills, gaining qualifications, etc. Many were kept on after the initial placement. Many could use their skills and experience to move for better jobs. Whatever it's faults, it was one hell of a lot better than what we have today whereby nearly a million youngsters are sat on their backsides unemployed. We should definitely bring similar schemes back today as that's what is needed to get these unemployed youngsters into the workplace. They need a "foot in the door". I trained to be a chartered accountant starting out under a YTS scheme in an accountancy practice. One of my closest friends started out as an "office junior" in the local Chamber of Commerce under YTS and is now it's managing director having worked her way up through the ranks.

dizzydizzydizzy · 26/02/2026 19:12

Devilsmommy · 26/02/2026 14:27

The problem with young people today is that they believe they're too good to do a lot of jobs. Especially things that are manual or like cleaning. Even if they've got no qualifications, they feel they are too good for those kinds of jobs. Therefore they will happily sit on benefits bemoaning the lack of decent jobs blah blah

The blame lies squarely with the parents…. Oh wait, that’s you, me and almost everyone else on here.

Needlenardlenoo · 26/02/2026 19:13

somuchbedding · 26/02/2026 18:32

Is anyone concerned with the 3.5m 50-64 yr olds economically inactive?

As well as the ones who are ill, I would think a good chunk are living off pensions.

However, I believe I read some analysis suggesting the epicly long NHS waiting lists account for most of the difference between UK over 50s and those in other developed nations post pandemic.

Devilsmommy · 26/02/2026 19:15

dizzydizzydizzy · 26/02/2026 19:12

The blame lies squarely with the parents…. Oh wait, that’s you, me and almost everyone else on here.

Not at all. Parents can only do so much. If it was how you say then that would imply that people with shitty attitudes are that way because of parents and that's just bullshit. You can have some of the nicest people who end up with awful kids even though they've tried everything to help their child

taxguru · 26/02/2026 19:16

CandidLurker · 26/02/2026 19:05

Feel sorry for young people these days who do want to work. It’s starting to feel like the 1980’s when there were few part-time jobs for students/young people and there were 3 million adults unemployed. There were no jobs. There wasn’t the coffee shop/eating out culture we have now. I took work wherever I could get it eg a couple of weeks work over Christmas at Sainsbury’s packing bags and stacking shelves. Paid out of the petty cash box. It was possible to sign on but the money was dire. You were always better off working if you could get it. However, sadly I think those options are now being eroded. So many pubs and cafes closing. Do supermarkets take on casual workers any more?

The 1980s weren't that bad if you wanted to be unemployed. My first serious boyfriend became unemployed, and "manufactured" a row with his parents claiming they'd thrown him out in order to get his own (paid by benefits) flat, plus a fairly decent weekly unemployment payment. He was like a pig in muck, living in his own flat and money in his pocket for doing bugger all! He made no effort at all to get a job as he knew he'd lose his flat! I ditched the lazy waster when I realised he had no ambition and no intention of finding a job and paying his way. I heard later (I was friends with his mother) that he did eventually get a job (presumably under pressure from the Job Centre/DSS or whoever) and moved back home as soon as they stopped paying for his flat. Of course he never had a row with his parents, it was just stage managed to get a flat as he knew how to game the system.

Happyjoe · 26/02/2026 19:17

It's harder for the younger generation I think. Like traditional jobs in retail were plenty and often filled by college students or those who'd just finished education while they thought of what to do next. But a mix of things have made those positions harder to get, not just because a lot of the high street stores have closed down and hospitality sector is suffering. Zero hours contracts should be made illegal too imo, awful way to live.

There's also fewer entry level jobs all round at the moment and more people unemployed (not just the younger generations) as well as more jobs looking like they will be going due to AI. The only strong sector as far as I know is the care sector. If you want to work in a nursing home, there's a job, but man, that's not for everyone.

Happyjoe · 26/02/2026 19:19

taxguru · 26/02/2026 19:16

The 1980s weren't that bad if you wanted to be unemployed. My first serious boyfriend became unemployed, and "manufactured" a row with his parents claiming they'd thrown him out in order to get his own (paid by benefits) flat, plus a fairly decent weekly unemployment payment. He was like a pig in muck, living in his own flat and money in his pocket for doing bugger all! He made no effort at all to get a job as he knew he'd lose his flat! I ditched the lazy waster when I realised he had no ambition and no intention of finding a job and paying his way. I heard later (I was friends with his mother) that he did eventually get a job (presumably under pressure from the Job Centre/DSS or whoever) and moved back home as soon as they stopped paying for his flat. Of course he never had a row with his parents, it was just stage managed to get a flat as he knew how to game the system.

Why didn't he just pay the council rate on the flat? He still would've been paying less than others privately renting.

mumofoneAloneandwell · 26/02/2026 19:19

Wrong thread!

taxguru · 26/02/2026 19:23

EatYourDamnPie · 26/02/2026 18:00

Nearly half of NEETS are disabled.

Bring defined as "disabled" doesn't mean they can't work. Of course, "some" disabilities mean employment is simply not an option, but the majority of "disabled" people DO work. We need to provide better advice/support to get disabled people into the workplace, that's support for BOTH the person themselves and employers.

I was once sat on a plane on the tarmac at an airport and watched a one legged baggage handler load the suitcases! That was incredibly impressive and showed what people can do if they want to.

I remember when I started work in the 80s, in the first 2/3 firms I worked at, we had a number of staff who'd today be classed as Autistic, or on the spectrum, or Aspergers, etc., due to their mannerisms, but back then, they were just regarded as shy or a bit withdrawn, but they were still able to do their jobs in the workplace. Likewise back a bit further in school, one lad in our class, looking back, clearly was autistic, but we all just thought he was a bit weird as he never joined in, never talked to other pupils, just sat at his desk and worked. Looking back now that there's more awareness and knowledge, he was clearly "disabled" under modern ways of thinking.

Allisnotlost1 · 26/02/2026 19:26

Pointofsingularity · 26/02/2026 18:58

OK, but that’s not consistent with what you posted….

I didn’t post the original post you were replying to, I was just pointing to the data.

123stay · 26/02/2026 19:26

CandidLurker · 26/02/2026 19:05

Feel sorry for young people these days who do want to work. It’s starting to feel like the 1980’s when there were few part-time jobs for students/young people and there were 3 million adults unemployed. There were no jobs. There wasn’t the coffee shop/eating out culture we have now. I took work wherever I could get it eg a couple of weeks work over Christmas at Sainsbury’s packing bags and stacking shelves. Paid out of the petty cash box. It was possible to sign on but the money was dire. You were always better off working if you could get it. However, sadly I think those options are now being eroded. So many pubs and cafes closing. Do supermarkets take on casual workers any more?

As far as I can see, there aren’t really a lot of nighttime shelf stacking jobs as they are done by the main supermarket staff. Sometimes I go to my local supermarket quite late at night and the staff are already stacking the shelves with customers still walking around. Add that to all the self-service checkouts and it does look like there’s fewer jobs than there used to be. Having said that, there’s far more security staff around in shops now, even before this shoplifting epidemic.

Ablondiebutagoody · 26/02/2026 19:27

frozendaisy · 26/02/2026 18:37

Yes I get that

but to inspire the younger generation not to follow suit pointing out the utter bleakness and how small and boring and joyless this road is might help to stop the cycle

Easier just to turn off the funding taps I think

Happyjoe · 26/02/2026 19:29

Ablondiebutagoody · 26/02/2026 19:27

Easier just to turn off the funding taps I think

And watch crime go up.

Happyjoe · 26/02/2026 19:30

CandidLurker · 26/02/2026 19:05

Feel sorry for young people these days who do want to work. It’s starting to feel like the 1980’s when there were few part-time jobs for students/young people and there were 3 million adults unemployed. There were no jobs. There wasn’t the coffee shop/eating out culture we have now. I took work wherever I could get it eg a couple of weeks work over Christmas at Sainsbury’s packing bags and stacking shelves. Paid out of the petty cash box. It was possible to sign on but the money was dire. You were always better off working if you could get it. However, sadly I think those options are now being eroded. So many pubs and cafes closing. Do supermarkets take on casual workers any more?

People did eat out in the 80's, greasy spoon cafes, bakery's cafes and wimpy's were full at weekends in our town. But I think while food and cafe culture has increased the high street back then was much better, not the boarded up high streets that we see now. Loads of folk went shopping on a Saturday. I never had any issues getting a job in retail in the late 80's and early 90's, could leave a job one week and walk into another a week later.

Smeuse · 26/02/2026 19:30

Ablondiebutagoody · 26/02/2026 19:27

Easier just to turn off the funding taps I think

Bring back forced labour for low wages, or maybe work houses?

dizzydizzydizzy · 26/02/2026 19:34

i can’t imagine how they manage to convince the DWP that they are trying hard to get jobs when they’re not. However when there is a system line this, there will always be people who manage to cheat. This does not mean the majority do.

You can report them for benefit fraud:
https://www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud

I actually know plenty of stories that are the opposite way round, in that claimants have done everything that the Job Centre has asked them to do and they get accused of not having done it and get fined. Have you ever been to a Job Centre? They treat claimants like dirt on the bottom of their shoes. I’m on benefits because I am too ill to work. Not so long ago, the Job Centre wanted a load of bank statements from me. I don’t mind doing this. For some bizarre reason, they refused to give me an upload link and said they had to see them and me in person and gave me an appointment at the Job Centre for the following week. I told them I was too ill to make it to the Job Centre. They then said they could visit me at home in 2 months time but would not be paying me anything until then. So, they treat the sick and disabled less favourably than everyone else, which I would think is breaking the law.

Report benefit fraud

Report someone committing benefit fraud - you can report anonymously.

https://www.gov.uk/report-benefit-fraud

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