Almost a million young people to benefit from expanded support, new training, and work experience opportunities

ALMOST 1 million young people will benefit from learning or employment opportunities as a result of a major £820 million funding package. 
 
Thanks to the funding, 350,000 new training or workplace opportunities in sectors including construction, health and social care and Hospitality will be provided to young people on Universal Credit to help them develop on the job skills, employer networks, and CV and interview coaching; breaking down barriers to employment and ensuring every young person has the chance to reach their potential.

In total, 900,000 young people on Universal Credit and looking for work will also benefit from a dedicated work support session, followed by 4 additional weeks of intensive support.   

They will be referred to 1 of up to 6 pathways by their work coach: work, work experience, apprenticeship, wider training, learning or a workplace training programme with a guaranteed interview, designed in partnership with employers.   

The investment will provide a springboard to a better future for close to a million young people, giving them the chance to gain crucial skills and support to find a job with long term prospects.  

As part of this training, young people will receive 6 weeks of training, work experience, and a guaranteed job interview, giving young people their 1st foot in the door towards meaningful employment, boosting their prospects and supporting a stronger economy as part of our Plan for Change.   

55,000 young people also stand to gain from a Government-backed guaranteed job, which will begin roll-out from Spring 2026 in areas with some of the highest need in Great Britain. These Regions are:-

• Birmingham and Solihull.
  

• East Midlands,
  

• Greater Manchester.
  

• Hertfordshire and Essex.
  

• Central and East Scotland.
  

• Southwest and Southeast Wales.

More than 1,000 young people are expected to start a job in the 1st 6 months alone, with local partners and employers to play a key role in supporting young people as they transition into meaningful employment with fully funded wages and wraparound support for young people.   

Alongside this, Youth Hubs; centres where young people can receive vital help to get them back on track; will be expanded to every local area of Great Britain, bringing the total to over 360. This will ensure young people up and down the country can access the lifechanging support Youth Hubs offer, such as CV advice, skills training, mental health support, housing advice, and careers guidance.  

There is an expectation that young people will take up the opportunities they are offered, and sanctions to benefits could be applied for those who don't engage with the offered support without good reason.  

Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, said:- "Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed. When given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them. That's why we are introducing a range of reforms to help young people take that vital step into the workplace or training and to go on and make something of their lives. This funding is a downpayment on young people's futures and the future of the country, creating real pathways into good jobs and providing work experience, skills training and guaranteed employment."
  
Recent data shows that almost 1 million young people are not in education, employment, or training (NEET), a 26% increase from pre-pandemic levels. Today's announcement represents a major intervention to reverse this trend and ensure no young person is left behind.   

It builds on a wide range of measures the Government is bringing forward to support young people, including expanded funding for youth trailblazers, and a major investigation spearheaded by Alan Milburn into the barriers preventing the young from accessing work.     

Earlier intervention is being prioritised, with a £34 million investment to make it easier to identify young people who need support before they drop out of the system. This includes a new Risk of NEET indicator tool, giving local areas more accurate insights to target support where it's needed most.    

The Government will also invest in further education attendance monitoring and provide targeted support for young people in state-funded alternative provision Schools, helping them secure valuable work experience.    

To ensure young people transition effectively from School into post 16 education or training, we are working with Schools and piloting automatic enrolment with further education providers for young people without a place.      

As announced by the Chancellor, the Government has committed to delivering a Jobs Guarantee for:- 18 to 21 year olds who have been searching for work whilst in receipt of Universal Credit for 18 months.   

The initiative will provide 25hrs / week of fully subsidised six-month paid work to every eligible:- 18 to 21 year old who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for 18 months. The young people will be paid at the relevant minimum wage and also receive fully funded wrap around support.      

The Government is finalising its National Youth Strategy, shaped by insights from over 14,000 young people, that will set out a long-term vision for youth policy across Government.

Mersey Ferries to celebrate Christmas Jumper Day with festivities, charity and community spirit

MERSEY Ferries is gearing up for its annual Christmas Jumper Day fundraiser on:- Thursday, 11 December 2025. For the 6th year in a row, the Mersey Ferries team will be welcoming passengers aboard with some extra festive spirit and proudly collecting donations for The Wirral Foodbank, a charity providing emergency food to local people in crisis since November 2011, and gifts for the New Brighton Toy Appeal.

Councillor Foukes, Chair of Transport Committee for Liverpool City Region, said:- "Christmas is a time for coming together and supporting 1 another, and the Mersey Ferries team embodies that spirit every year. Their fundraiser is a brilliant example of how our Region rallies around those who need a little extra help. I'm incredibly proud of the team for raising vital funds and spreading some festive joy across the Liverpool City Region."

Passengers and visitors will be treated to a festive atmosphere throughout the day, including performances from a local artist, bringing the holiday spirit to the waterfront. The team is encouraging the public to get involved and support local families in need, with several ways to donate:-

• Drop off food donations at Seacombe or Pier Head Terminals.
  

• Give a gift to the New Brighton Toy Appeal.

2024's Christmas Jumper Day was a huge success, and this year, Mersey Ferries is aiming to make the event even bigger and better.

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