Major UK retailers, including Tesco and Boots, have pledged to create 100,000 new permanent jobs for young people by 2029. This initiative aims to address the youth unemployment crisis, which retailers describe as trapping young people in a “doom loop.”
The scheme, developed in partnership with the government and represented by the British Retail Consortium (BRC), will offer two to four weeks of unpaid work experience to young people aged 18 to 24 who are not in employment, education, or training (Neets). Participants will be able to continue claiming benefits during their placement and will be guaranteed an interview for a paid role afterwards.
Tesco plans to offer 5,000 placements as part of the programme. Other businesses supporting the commitment include Asda, John Lewis, Marks & Spencer, Amazon, JD Sports, Next, Greggs, Costa, and Pret a Manger. More than 11,000 placements have already been organised.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham welcomed the commitment, stating that such opportunities can help young people gain confidence, skills, and connections. Former health secretary Alan Milburn, who led a government review into youth unemployment, warned that the number of Neets could rise to over 1.25 million in the next five years without more unpaid work experience schemes.