Kemi Badenoch has accused Labour of killing off first jobs for the young, citing rising costs and taxes that hinder employers from hiring. Her remarks came during a visit to the McDonald’s restaurant where she worked as a teenager, as she emphasised the negative impact of the current government’s policies on youth employment, reports BritPanorama.
The Conservative leader noted that the number of young people aged 16 to 24 who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET) has reached nearly one million. “Now too many young people aren’t even getting through the door,” she said. Badenoch relayed experiences from shops in Godalming, where business owners reported being unable to offer Saturday jobs due to the strain of rising taxes.
“I speak to friends whose kids can’t even get shelf-stacking work at Sainsbury’s,” she continued, expressing concern over the escalating unemployment rates since Labour assumed office. She highlighted a troubling trend in graduate recruitment, which has fallen to an all-time low, with thousands of young people enrolling in benefits programmes weekly.
The Tory leader attributed these lost opportunities to the current administration, stating, “The blame should be laid squarely at the feet of Keir Starmer.” The Conservatives have pledged to reduce business rates to alleviate the struggles faced by High Street stores and the hospitality sector, both of which typically employ younger workers.
‘Bearing the brunt’
In her remarks, Badenoch stressed the long-term consequences of youth unemployment, claiming that these realities could affect the lives of young people for years to come. She also recounted her own experience working at McDonald’s three decades ago, recalling the importance of her first job in shaping her work ethic and sense of responsibility.
During her visit, Badenoch prepared food in the Ruislip branch of McDonald’s, where she was reminded by staff that her cooking speed needed improvement. This visit coincided with a review by Alan Milburn, the Government’s employment tsar, into the issue of youth inactivity, which he associates with the diminishing availability of traditional jobs for young people.
Welfare Secretary Pat McFadden asserted that the Conservative party had allowed the number of young people who are NEET to rise, promising to tackle the issue with the Youth Guarantee and significant employment support funds. Meanwhile, Tesco’s chief executive has warned that the country risks “sleepwalking” into a widespread worklessness crisis.
As the debate around youth employment continues, the focus remains on policies that could either create or stifle job opportunities for the next generation.
With growing concerns about economic barriers for young workers, it becomes increasingly critical to examine the efficacy of current employment policies and their long-term implications on youth engagement in the workforce. The shifting landscape of job availability and the economic environment highlights the pressing need for proactive measures to foster youth employment opportunities.
