{
  "id": 20099644,
  "title": "UK to expand youth job guarantee program amid rising unemployment",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/uk-to-expand-youth-job-guarantee-program-amid-rising-unemployment",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-11-15T02:16:30.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Investing.com",
    "slug": "investing-com",
    "url": "https://www.investing.com/news/economy-news/uk-to-expand-youth-job-guarantee-program-amid-rising-unemployment-5027632"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The UK government has announced plans to scale up and expedite its youth job guarantee program nationwide, with a target to assist over 90,000 young people in securing employment by March 2029. The Department for Work and Pensions revealed that the initiative will be accessible across all regions of Great Britain, broadening its reach beyond the initial six locations where it was launched earlier this year. Starting from April 2027, young individuals who are eligible will be able to receive guaranteed employment opportunities after a 12-month tenure within the program, a reduction from the current 18-month requirement. These modifications come as the Prime Minister's government endeavors to tackle the spike in youth unemployment and economic inactivity, particularly among those who are outside the workforce, education, or training. Approximately one million young people in the UK were categorized as not in employment, education, or training during the second quarter of 2026. The government had previously pledged £2.5 billion ($3.3 billion) over three years for the job guarantee program and other initiatives aimed at enhancing employment opportunities for younger workers. This expansion occurs in advance of a review by former Labour lawmaker Alan Milburn, scheduled for release on Tuesday, which will analyze the root causes of the rising youth economic inactivity. Milburn has advocated for young people to receive a legal assurance of employment, training, or job-seeking assistance, and has also suggested redirecting government spending towards employment support rather than relying predominantly on unemployment benefits. This policy is part of broader efforts to control Britain's escalating welfare expenditure, which is forecast to rise to £431 billion in the 2031-32 fiscal year, compared to an estimated £334 billion in 2025-26, both figures encompassing state pension payments. Under the current program, participants must be actively seeking employment and receiving Universal Credit, the UK's primary means-tested welfare benefit. The government's intended expansion will broaden access beyond the initial trial areas as policymakers prepare to evaluate Milburn's recommendations for enhancing youth employment outcomes.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [
    "UK government plans to expand youth job guarantee program nationwide.",
    "Initiative targets over 90,000 young people by March 2029.",
    "Eligible young individuals can receive guaranteed employment after 12 months."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}