A £820 Million Youth Guarantee to Empower Britain’s Young People

Right now, nearly one million young people across the UK are not in education, employment or training, a 26% increase since before the pandemic. It’s more than a statistic. It’s a generation facing uncertainty and missed chances. That’s why the Government has stepped forward with what Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden calls “a downpayment on young people’s futures and the future of the country.”

£820 Million — A Lifeline for Young Futures

The Youth Guarantee UK will support close to one million young people with:

• 350,000 new training or workplace places  • Support focused in construction, health & social care, hospitality  • CV and interview coaching  • Six weeks of skills development + guaranteed job interview

As Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson puts it:

“Too many young people fall out of education unnoticed… With these ambitious measures, we can break down barriers to opportunity.”

Personalised Pathways That Lead Somewhere

Young people on Universal Credit will be guided into opportunities including:

• Work 

• Apprenticeships 

• Work experience 

• Further training 

• Guaranteed interview programmes

They’ll receive a dedicated support session and four weeks of intensive help — a clear pathway, not a push into the unknown.

Jobs Where They’re Needed Most

A Guaranteed Jobs Scheme, launching in Spring 2026, will focus on regions facing the highest need, including:

• Birmingham & Solihull

• Greater Manchester

• East Midlands

• Hertfordshire & Essex

• Central & East Scotland

• Southwest & Southeast Wales

Young people will receive paid roles with funded wages and full wraparound support. More than 1,000 placements will begin in the first six months alone.

Youth Hubs — Support Close to Home

More than 360 Youth Hubs will provide:

• Mental health support  • Skills development  • Housing and careers advice

“When you match young people’s potential with opportunity, they can transform their own lives,” — The King’s Trust

That transformation becomes easier when support is available on every doorstep.

Spotting Struggles Early

The plan includes early intervention measures:

• £34 million for identifying risk sooner  • A Risk of NEET digital tool  • Attendance monitoring for further education  • Automatic enrolment into post-16 education for those without a destination

The aim? To catch young people before they slip through the cracks.

A Promise Shared by Employers and Communities

From national businesses to sports organisations and youth charities, support is strong:

“Giving a young person that first opportunity can be game changing,” — Severn Trent HR Director

The message echoes across industry: talent is everywhere — opportunity must be too.

This plan is about belonging, dignity, and believing in young people.

Every future deserves a fair start.