On a rainy day in Dudley, Alex Jones and his peers take shelter under trees outside their college, where they are training for automotive qualifications. Despite their optimism, they express difficulties in securing part-time work, echoing a sentiment shared by many youth in the area. The town, reflecting broader trends in the UK, faces significant challenges regarding youth employment, as nearly a million young people between 16 and 24 are classified as not in education, employment, or training (Neet). In Dudley specifically, one in five school leavers aged 16 and 17 find themselves in this situation, representing the highest rate in England.
The upcoming autumn budget is anticipated to address these concerns, with Rachel Reeves, the chancellor, expected to introduce a “youth guarantee” meant to improve job prospects. As part of broader economic challenges, recent increases in employer national insurance contributions are seen to have adversely impacted hiring, particularly in sectors like hospitality and retail where young people are often employed.
Critics, including former John Lewis chair Charlie Mayfield, warn that rising unemployment poses a risk to economic stability and young people’s future earnings. Reeves faces pressure to balance her economic strategy while addressing youth unemployment, which has escalated to particularly high levels, with some suggestions of lowering the minimum wage for younger workers gaining traction.
Local voices, like Matthew Hunter from MET Recruitment, observe that rising employment costs have deterred businesses from hiring young adults. Programs aimed at supporting young people, such as those funded by government initiatives, have emerged, but challenges persist, especially for those affected by the educational disruptions caused by the Covid pandemic.
Community leaders emphasize the need for targeted interventions, noting that addressing these issues is crucial for economic and social stability in Dudley and similar towns across the UK.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2025/nov/07/dudley-uk-epicentre-youth-jobs-crisis-unemployment