EveryYouth is urging the Government to consult with its nationwide Network of charities on how to help the most disadvantaged young people into work after the biggest welfare reform “for a generation” was unveiled on Tuesday. 

Under sweeping measures to get two million people back into work, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall unveiled a ‘Youth Guarantee’ project that would aim to provide every 18 to 21 year old with access to education or training to help them find a job. 

The Department for Work and Pensions said it would turn the Apprenticeship Levy paid by employers in England into “a more flexible” Growth and Skills Levy backed by £40 million “to expand opportunities for young people to develop skills and get into work”. 

Official figures show that nearly a million young people were out of education, employment and training between July and September.  

Ms Kendall said the project would see an overhaul of the apprenticeship system so more young people have the chance to train. If they did not take up the offer, they would face having their benefits cut.  

While EveryYouth welcomes the ‘Youth Guarantee’ project, the Government must explain how apprenticeships will be made affordable for the UK’s most disadvantaged young people, including those experiencing homelessness. 

CEO Nick Connolly said: “Young apprentices are being paid as little as £6.40 an hour on the current National Minimum Wage rate, and this will only increase to £7.55 in April 2025.  

“That’s tragically low for someone who does not have family support to pay their rent or bills. It means the country’s most disadvantaged young people currently face having their benefits cut – and risk being made homeless – by choosing to start an apprenticeship.  

“Our young people want to work, but often the system fails them. We are relentlessly positive about what all young people can achieve, given a fair chance. 

“That’s why we urge Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall to consult our Network of 12 youth homelessness charities to consider how the ‘Youth Guarantee’ project can provide meaningful work opportunities for every young person in the UK, including our most disadvantaged.  

“For a start, this could be through raising the National Minimum Wage rate for young apprentices who do not have family financial support.”

EveryYouth is well practised in supporting young people back into employment. Through the EveryYouth Employed programme, EveryYouth has provided more than 2,200 young people facing homelessness with specialist coaches to become job-ready and a bursary scheme to overcome the costs associated with getting into work or education. 

Whether a young person needs help with course fees or the bus fare to a job interview, EveryYouth makes sure small financial barriers don’t prevent young people from securing long-term independence. 

Whatever their stage on the journey to employability – whether learning to read and write or preparing for an interview – EveryYouth’s objective is to help them take meaningful steps towards long-term employment, so they can live independent, happy lives. 

By donating to EveryYouth here, you can provide a young person with an hour of support with a Jobs Coach who will help them build their CV and secure meaningful employment.