The first group of young people supported by the Government's Jobs Guarantee scheme have started their new roles. This initiative is designed to tackle youth unemployment, a key priority for the Prime Minister.
The scheme provides a direct route into work for 18-24-year-olds who have been claiming Universal Credit and actively seeking employment for 18 months. The government fully funds up to 25 hours of paid work for six months, matching roles to individual skillsets.
Boots is among the major businesses participating, with some of the first cohort taking up administrative, retail, and warehouse support positions. The Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, visited Boots to meet these new employees.
The Jobs Guarantee aims to support over 90,000 young people into work by 2029. It is part of a broader £2.5 billion government investment in youth employment. The scheme has initially been rolled out in areas with high levels of youth unemployment, including Birmingham and Solihull, the East Midlands, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Essex, Central and East Scotland, and South East and South West Wales. Later this year, it is planned to expand to all eligible 18-24-year-olds on Universal Credit who meet the 18-month unemployment criteria.