Jobseekers are to benefit from the roll-out of mobile jobs vans across Great Britain – outside leisure centres, supermarkets and even football stadiums
New vans rolling out to six additional areas across England and Wales as part of major employment reforms.
Jobcentre on Wheels service puts expert support at heart of the local community – slashing barriers by coming directly to people while they do their weekly shop or see their local team play football.
Roll out is part of wider government plans to Get Britain Working and comes after successful pilot saw over 1,600 people supported.
Jobseekers are to benefit from the roll-out of mobile jobs vans across Great Britain – appearing outside leisure centres, supermarkets and even football stadiums.
Following hugely successful pilots in the Scottish Highlands, North and Mid Wales and Greater Manchester, the number of Jobcentres on Wheels will triple, providing enhanced support in six new areas, with a view to explore rolling out the scheme more extensively after testing its impact.
The vans will take jobcentre staff on the road to communities with some of the highest rates of unemployment where support is needed most. Vans will park up outside family hubs, leisure centres, supermarkets, local events and football matches to make taking that first step towards work as easy as possible.
Once on board, people can meet with one of the DWP’s experienced work coaches who will who offer expert support with job searching and training opportunities.
They can also provide information to those with health conditions or disabilities and for accessing childcare costs.
As well as existing customers, the service is open and accessible to all members of the public and forms part of the government’s wider plans to Get Britain Working, kickstart economic growth and give more opportunities for people to get on in their career.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “We want to break down the barriers that stop people from finding good work, and that means meeting people where they are.
“Jobcentres on Wheels are doing exactly that – bringing employment support into the heart of communities.
“That’s why we’re building on the success we’ve already seen, expanding the service so we can unlock opportunities for even more people across the country.”
The areas the vans will now be extended to are Wakefield, North Nottinghamshire, Barrow-in-Furness, Blackpool, Clevedon and Rhondda Cynon Taf/Bridgend.
To mark the roll out, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visited the Bolton Mobile Jobcentre which was stationed outside Horwich Leisure Centre.
The Bolton Mobile Jobcentre, which was first launched in January 2025 has already supported nearly 800 customers – many of whom had never set foot into a jobcentre. Bolton has one of the highest inactivity rates in the North West, at 29.2% compared to the national average of 20.8%.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden hopped on our mobile Jobcentre to Bolton
Onboard, Work Coaches offer support and advice to the community – helping break down barriers to good work
It has parked in a range of spaces including Bolton Wanderers’ football stadium on match days, Horwich Leisure Centre, family hubs and community centres, reaching those who might not otherwise access a traditional Jobcentre.
Data shows that just over half of customers visiting the vans are not in receipt of benefits, demonstrating the service is reaching many economically inactive people who may not engage with traditional jobcentres.
For example, in Bolton, a customer with health conditions walked onto the van looking for work. Within one visit, staff found him job leads, referred him to digital support, and connected him with training. The customer said this support was something he would never have thought to look for at a traditional Jobcentre.
Ben Lawton, CEO of Bolton Wanderers in the Community, said: “Here at BWitC we understand the drivers behind the increase in the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).
“The relational, holistic, community-based support delivered in trusted settings support those in our community facing these challenges.
“Working alongside Bolton Jobcentre and their Jobcentre Van is key to our Vision of One Bolton Connected in Success.”
The mobile Jobcentres will now operate in nine areas across England, Scotland and Wales, covering a mix of urban, rural, coastal and post-industrial communities. Trebling the Department’s mobile fleet will ensure the service reaches those who may face barriers accessing traditional jobcentres across Great Britain as a whole.
The initiative is part of the government’s commitment to reforming employment services and helping more people overcome barriers to work, including health conditions and caring responsibilities.
It is part of a major programme of reform as a test and learn approach which includes transforming Jobcentres and creating a new national jobs and careers service, backed by £55m as well as launching a new digital offer to deliver a transformative new service that will give anyone access to DWP support wherever they are.
Every adult in the UK is eligible to take free, newly benchmarked courses to gain practical AI skills for work – as joint government and industry programme sees a major expansion to upskill 10 million workers
Free AI foundations training for all workers expanded by government to upskill 10 million people, with new partners including NHS and techUK
Government to ensure UK workers benefit from the changes AI will bring, through launch of new cross-government unit to advise on AI’s economic and labour market impacts
£27 million funding to connect people to tech jobs in local communities, and create new professional practice courses and graduate traineeships
Plans unveiled as Technology Secretary vows to make Britain the leading AI adopter in the G7 and build a workforce that excels in developing, adopting and benefiting from AI
Every adult in the UK is eligible to take free, newly benchmarked courses to gain practical AI skills for work – as the joint government and industry programme sees a major expansion to upskill 10 million workers.
In order to make Britain the fastest adopting AI country in the G7, the UK is setting ambitious targets to ensure the workforce is adequately skilled, confident and ready to grasp the full opportunities of AI.
This could create more higher-skilled jobs and free workers up from routine tasks, with increasing the adoption of AI potentially unlocking up to £140 billion in annual economic output (note) as part of our plans for national renewal.
A selection of industry-developed AI courses, newly available on the Government’s AI Skills Hub, have been checked against Skills England’s AI foundation skills for work benchmark, with those who complete these courses receiving a virtual AI foundations badge.
Open to all UK adults online, taking as little as under 20 minutes, the courses will give people the skills needed to use simple AI tools effectively in the workplace and teach the use of AI for tasks like drafting text, creating content and completing administrative tasks, to free up time to focus on other work.
This training will give both workers and employers confidence in their new skills, and set standards for what good AI upskilling looks like. The programme has already delivered one million courses since June through monumental government and industry efforts.
NHS workers and local government employees will be among those to benefit. Major public sector, business representative organisations, and industry partners onboarding – including Britain’s biggest employer, the NHS – is enabling government to raise the ambition to now reach 10 million workers this decade. This is equivalent to upskilling nearly a third of this country’s workforce and includes reaching at least 2 million SME employees. This is the biggest targeted training programme since Harold Wilson started the Open University.
Recognising that AI will bring changes to jobs and work as we know it, the Tech Secretary is also launching the new AI and the Future of Work Unit to remain front-footed in addressing inevitable challenges.
Backed by a panel of experts from business and trade unions, the unit will provide the best analysis and evidence on AI’s impact on the economy and labour market to provide timely advice on when new policies should be implemented across government. It will ensure the AI transition boosts economic growth, supports workers to adapt, protects communities from the mistakes of past industrial change, and delivers a fair, dignified future of work for everyone, where people are supported into better jobs in a more productive economy.
Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Liz Kendall said: “We want AI to work for Britain, and that means ensuring Britons can work with AI.
“Change is inevitable, but the consequences of change are not. We will protect people from the risks of AI while ensuring everyone can share in its benefits.
“That starts with giving people the skills and confidence they need to seize the opportunities AI brings, putting the power and control into their hands.”
Research published yesterday finds only 21% of UK workers feel confident using AI at work, and adoption remains low with only 1 in 6 UK businesses using AI as of mid-2025. UK small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) report a lower rate of AI adoption, with micro businesses 45% less likely to adopt AI than large businesses.
The Technology Secretary addressed Bloomberg HQ in London yesterday (Wednesday 28 January). where she confirmed:
New partners – British Chambers of Commerce (BCC), Cisco, Cognizant, Confederation of British Industry (CBI), Department for Education (DfE), Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), Institute of Directors (IOD) – Local Government Association (LGA), Multiverse, NHS, Pax8 and techUK will unlock AI upskilling for even more workers.
They will join the esteemed ranks of founding partners – Accenture, Amazon, Barclays, BT, Google, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft, Sage, SAS and Salesforce to take the AI Skills Boost programme to the next level and upskill 10 million workers with AI skills by 2030.
£27 million funding announced to kickstart government’s TechLocal scheme – part of the £187 million TechFirst programme – which will help employers fill or create up to 1,000 tech jobs in communities across the UK, and enable new professional practice courses, graduate traineeships, and work experience opportunities in AI.
Government has launched offers to apply for the Spärck AI Scholarship at 9 UK Universities. The scholarships will give up to 100 talented AI and STEM Master’s students access to industry partnerships, work placements and mentorship opportunities throughout their studies, alongside covering both tuition and living expenses.
This comes alongside government’s Skills for Life digital skills offer. The campaign provides easy access to thousands of free or government subsidised courses covering the essential digital skills people need for work and life, and digital skills people need to be able to take the next step towards a career in technology. AI is one of the pillars of the digital tech sector plan as part of the Industrial Strategy.
Since making the commitment in June, founding partners Accenture, Amazon, Barclays, BT, Google, IBM, Intuit, Microsoft, Sage, Salesforce, and SAS have been hard at work to get AI skills to millions of workers by the end of the decade.
From workshops to online training, workforce and business outreach, all industry partners have played a crucial role in changing the lives of workers in communities country-wide.
To see what this looks like firsthand and hear from people taking part in AI upskilling and the positive impact it’s had on them in their personal and professional lives, Secretary of State, Liz Kendall visited a Google Digital Garage session at Google HQ in London on Monday 26th January.
More than 93% of young people were in work, training or further study nine months after they left school, according to the latest figures.
The proportion in these positive destinations has grown from 85.9% in 2009-10.
Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: “These figures show the proportion of Scotland’s young people achieving positive destinations is almost back to pre-pandemic levels and at a near record high.
“The increase among those in Higher and Further Education is hugely encouraging and testament to the hard work of those young people and the extraordinary support provided by Scotland’s teachers, lecturers and other support staff.
“The gap in positive destinations between young people from our most and least deprived communities has more than halved since 2009-10, but this latest data shows we still have more to do. We also know this cohort of young people faced significant disruption to their education during the pandemic.
“A range of support, including from careers advisers and the Developing the Young Workforce network, is available for young people considering their options after school.
“I am determined to ensure young people can access the right help they need to enable them into a positive destination and this Government will continue to invest in opportunities for young people across Scotland.”
The £725 million package of reforms to the apprenticeship system will help to tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth, with thousands more young people expected to benefit over the next three years.
Major £725 million investment to deliver more apprenticeships for young people and help match skills training with local job opportunities.
Young people to benefit from increased access to training with full cost of apprenticeships at SME’s covered by Government.
New wave of foundation apprenticeships in sectors such as retail and hospitality sectors to get young people into work.
Backing thousands more apprenticeship starts for young people through a £140 million partnership with local leaders.
50,000 young people across the country will be better equipped for jobs of the future through a major investment to create more apprenticeships and training courses.
The £725 million package of reforms to the apprenticeship system will help to tackle youth unemployment and drive economic growth, with thousands more young people expected to benefit over the next three years.
The latest funding includes a £140 million for a pilot where Mayors will be able to connect young people – especially those not in education, employment or training (NEET) with thousands of apprenticeship opportunities at local employers.
By partnering with regional leaders who best understand their local economies, these pilots will ensure young people can access training that meets the needs of employers in their area.
As part of the package, the government will also cover the full cost of apprenticeships for eligible young people under 25 at small and medium-sized businesses.
Removing the 5% co-investment rate for SME’s means that the training costs for all eligible under 25 apprentices are fully funded opening up thousands of opportunities for young people. This will make it easier for young people to find opportunities and remove the burden from businesses, making it easier for them to take on young talent.
Businesses will also benefit from a major boost in flexibility as new short courses in cutting-edge areas including AI, engineering and digital skills will begin rolling out from April 2026.
This includes working closely with the defence sector to develop a new suite of flexible, work-based training options to help employers upskill their existing workforce in the critical skills needed for future success.
Today’s announcement comes alongside plans to open up new waves of foundation apprenticeships in sectors such as hospitality and retail.
The reforms will simplify and modernise the apprenticeship system, making it more efficient and responsive to the needs of employers and learners. From April 2026, short courses will be introduced to provide more flexible training options and a new Level 4 apprenticeship in AI will also be introduced, supporting employers to develop the skills of their workforce.
The reforms to the Growth and Skills Levy build on the Prime Minister’s ambition for two-thirds of young people to participate in higher level learners – academic, technical or apprenticeships – helping more young people gain the skills they need to start their careers.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “For too long, success has been measured by how many young people go to university. That narrow view has held back opportunity and created barriers we need to break.
“If you choose an apprenticeship, you should have the same respect and opportunity as everyone else. That’s why the Government is investing £1.5 billion through the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy – creating 50,000 more apprenticeships and foundation apprenticeships for young people over the next three years.
“It’s time to change the way apprenticeships are viewed and to put them on an equal footing with university. This is a defining cause for this government and a key step towards our ambition to get two-thirds of young people in higher-level learning or apprenticeships.”
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.”
The reforms are designed to tackle the sharp decline in apprenticeship starts among young people over the last decade – which have fallen by almost 40% since 2015/16 and shift the focus towards supporting young people into high-quality training and employment.
This latest intervention follows an £820 million investment guaranteeing every young person the chance to gain the skills they need for success and support to find a job. This package will create 300,000 more opportunities to earn and learn and provide guaranteed jobs to almost 55,000 young people.
Over the coming months, DWP and Skills England will work intensively with business on the right balance to further boost apprenticeship starts for young people while delivering the right flexibilities for business.
Skills England will drive forward, with the Office for Investment, the service to support major investors and help them navigate the skills system. It will also establish a new skills infrastructure development service to support businesses to get training for jobs off the ground as quickly as possible and support young people in their careers.
McLaren Automotive Chief Executive Officer Nick Collins said: “Apprenticeships are a critical pipeline for developing the next generation of talent. They provide an immersive pathway for young people to gain practical experience and learn in real world environments.
“At McLaren we recognise the importance of investing in people and skills to create the world’s most extraordinary supercars. We are proud to inspire and equip the next generation to continue this tradition of excellence.”
Craig Beaumont, Executive Director at the Federation of Small Businesses, said: “Small businesses are incredibly enthusiastic about apprenticeships, and we are pleased the Government is taking steps to make the system more small business friendly.
“It will help unlock more local roles, meaning small firms can do what they do best – taking people on and giving them a great chance in life.”
Rt Hon Robert Halfon, Executive Director, Make UK, said: “Manufacturers support the Government’s commitment to a more flexible Growth and Skills Levy to boost investment in high-quality training.
“The development of foundation apprenticeships has been a positive step in ensuring that effective entry level routes into employment are there for young people.
Industry is also keen to work with mayoral authorities to recruit more young people into engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships. Enabling more businesses to invest in work-based training is critical to supporting more young people into skilled work, and mayoral authorities bringing together employers and young people will help this to happen.
Chris Perriton, Head of Learning Pathways, Marston said: “At Marston’s, we believe apprenticeships are a vital pathway for young people to build confidence, gain practical skills and unlock long-term careers in hospitality.
“We welcome the Government’s commitment to expanding opportunities and driving skills development, and we’re proud to play our part by offering high-quality apprenticeships across our pubs and support teams.
“These programmes not only provide hands-on experience but also the structured training and mentoring needed to help the next generation thrive in our industry.”
Dan Clarkson, Chief Operating Officer, Lee Marley Group said: “Apprenticeships play a vital role in sustaining the strength and capability of the construction industry. They give young people the structured development and real-world experience they need to carry essential craft skills forward, while building the confidence to pursue long-term, rewarding careers.
“As construction continues to evolve, apprenticeships help address skills shortages and uphold the high standards our built environment depends on. Supporting future talent is a responsibility we take seriously, and it remains central to everything we do at Lee Marley Group.”
The funding will create 350,000 new workplace opportunities designed to support young people into employment.
Hundreds of thousands more young people on Universal Credit to benefit from dedicated support.
Guaranteed jobs scheme to roll out in areas with some of the highest need from Spring 2026.
Almost one 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 four additional weeks of intensive support.
They will be referred to one of up to six 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 six weeks of training, work experience, and a guaranteed job interview, giving young people their first 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 & Solihull
East Midlands
Greater Manchester
Hertfordshire & Essex
Central & East Scotland
Southwest & Southeast Wales
More than 1,000 young people are expected to start a job in the first six 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.”
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: “Too many young people fall out of education unnoticed, crippling their life changes and denting the economy.
“Smarter data and early-warning tools will change that – helping us to spot risks sooner, step in faster, and keep learners on track through our Plan for Change.
“With these ambitious measures, we can break down barriers to opportunity to make sure every young person gets the support they deserve.”
Recent data shows that almost one 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 25 hours/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.
Laura-Jane Rawlings MBE, CEO & Founder, Youth Employment UK: “The Youth Guarantee is a hugely important step forward and reflects many of the recommendations we have championed through our work.
“More than 8,000 young people took part in our 2025 Youth Voice Census, and the message was clear: they value work experience, skills development and local support, but too often cannot access it.
“This package – from the Youth Guarantee Gateway and expanded Youth Hubs to additional work experience, SWAPs and apprenticeships – represents the most focused investment in tackling youth unemployment we have seen in many years.
“We particularly welcome the commitment to early support, personalised pathways and strong local partnerships. We look forward to working closely with the government, Mayors, local areas and employers to ensure delivery reaches every young person, especially those facing the highest barriers. Together, we can make this Guarantee a meaningful reality for all.”
Barry Fletcher, CEO at Youth Futures Foundation said: “Youth Futures Foundation welcomes the Government’s focus and investment in tackling the growing, stubborn challenge of youth unemployment and inactivity.
“Today’s measures present an ambitious, comprehensive package to reform the system and support more young people into earning or learning.
“Crucially, reforms like the Jobs Guarantee are grounded in the evidence of what works, especially for marginalised young people. This will be vital to ensure a better future for young people and drive long-term economic prosperity.”
Naomi Clayton, CEO, Institute for Employment Studies, said: “With one in eight young people out of work and not in education and training, and the lasting scarring effects that can have, we’re pleased to see the government’s reforms to support more young people.
“We welcome the dedicated support being introduced through the Youth Guarantee Gateway to help prevent young people becoming long-term unemployed, alongside broader preventative measures to make it easier to identify young people who need support. We also welcome the wraparound support that will be provided to long-term unemployed young people as part of the Jobs Guarantee.
“Supporting young people to access meaningful work experience, training opportunities and good jobs will help secure a brighter future for a generation, their communities and the economy.”
Richard Rigby, Head of UK Government Affairs at The King’s Trust said: “At The King’s Trust, we know that when you match young people’s potential with opportunity, they can transform their own lives. This Youth Guarantee is a crucial step towards unlocking that potential.
“Increasing training and work experience opportunities, alongside a guaranteed job scheme for the long-term unemployed, will help the young people we support in our centres each day to start overcoming the barriers they face, and take their first steps into work.
“If we get this right, we can transform the futures of young people out of work across the UK, and build a healthier, wealthier society.”
Neil Morrison, HR Director at Severn Trent said: “Giving a young person that first opportunity can be game changing, so we’re fully supportive of government’s Youth Guarantee.
“At Severn Trent we’re tackling youth unemployment head on, and we’re giving young people real chances to grow and creating opportunities that unlock potential and true talent. We look forward to working together on this, and the role business can play in giving the next generation the very best start.”
Susannah Hardyman, CEO of Impetus, said: “We are delighted that the Government has chosen to invest in the futures of young people.
“With hundreds of thousands of young people neither earning nor learning, and young people from disadvantaged backgrounds twice as likely to be NEET as their better off peers, this Youth Guarantee is much-needed to ensure everyone aged 16-24 gets the support they need to succeed, whether that’s a work placement, work experience or training.
“Expanding Youth Hubs across the country is a particularly encouraging move, especially as they are a place where young people can access support even if they are not currently claiming Universal Credit.
“As our Blueprint for a Youth Hub research found, a culture of hospitality enables Youth Hubs to be an easy front door for young people to start accessing the opportunities they need for a fulfilling life.”
Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Executive, said: “There is a moral and economic imperative for government and businesses to work together to support more young people into training and work.
“These announcements will allow more young people to gain the vital experience that only work can provide.”
Dr Emily Andrews, Director of Policy and Research at the Learning and Work Institute, said: “With nearly one million young people neither earning nor learning, we welcome today’s announcements to tackle the current waste of potential and boost our future workforce.
“Building on our long-standing call for a Youth Guarantee, we are pleased to see a more comprehensive offer developing, with a range of new opportunities for young people to access experience and training in the workplace.
“Crucially, the national system-level offer is being balanced by more place-based approaches, including Trailblazers and the continued expansion of youth hubs to reach young people outside the benefits system.
“We will continue to work with partners on the delivery and implementation of this package at a national, regional and local level, to make the most of these opportunities.”
Debbie Cook, EFL’s Director of Community said: “From employment, mentoring and education programmes to sport and wellbeing initiatives, EFL Football Clubs and their charities are deeply embedded in their communities, empowering young people to unlock their potential and thrive.
“Through the Youth Guarantee, we look forward to maximising opportunities for young people via new employment hubs in EFL communities, ensuring they can access guaranteed pathways into work, training, and skills development.”
Patrick Milnes, Head of People and Work Policy, at the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The number of young people who are not in education, employment or training is at its highest level for a decade.
“BCC research also shows that 75% of businesses are struggling to recruit skilled workers, so it is good to see the government taking action with an ambitious plan to get young people into work.
“Expanding Youth Hubs and investing in the Jobs Guarantee will help young people gain the skills and experience needed to succeed in the workplace. Our network of 51 Chambers of Commerce across the UK stands ready to help government deliver the Youth Guarantee in full.
“Ensuing young people can access fulfilling careers and businesses can find the talent they need are vital to unlocking growth.”
Tracey Collins, Director of Emerging Talent and Social Impact at Kier, said: “At Kier, we are committed to providing opportunities for young people and bring emerging talent into construction through hundreds of work experience and apprenticeship positions every year.
“It’s important that these opportunities are open to everyone, regardless of background or history, as every young person deserves the chance to flourish.
“To support this, we are delivering a number of initiatives to make Kier accessible to underrepresented groups including a pilot project with the Youth Futures Foundation as well as through our Kierriculum schools’ engagement programme.
“We believe that the Youth Guarantee will further strengthen this activity and we are proud to support the government’s work to collectively reduce long-term youth unemployment and help them reach a better future.”
The targeted support for young people at particular risk of becoming NEET to secure work experience will focus on pupils in state-funded Alternative Provision settings.
Alternative Provision refers to education provided outside mainstream or special schools for children who cannot attend a regular school—often due to exclusion, health needs, or other circumstances
A growing number of employers across the capital are committing to paying the Real Living Wage.
New numbers released today to mark Living Wage Week reveal that there are now 790 accredited employers, collectively employing over 221,000 workers across Edinburgh.
Since last year there have been more than 40 new accreditations in the city, resulting in 13,683 workers receiving a welcome boost to their incomes.
The Real Living Wage is an independently calculated rate based on the actual cost of living. It’s paid voluntarily by employers and is updated annually to make sure hourly pay keeps up with the essential costs of housing, childcare, transport, and heating costs.
Living Wage week, which runs from 10 to 16 November, provides an opportunity to reflect on the achievements of the movement to date, recognise its positive impact on workers and communities and to thank employers for maintaining their commitment, despite challenging business conditions.
Councillor Tim Pogson, Housing, Homelessness and Fair Work Convener and Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Fair Work Action Group, said: “I’m delighted that every year an increasing number of employers in Edinburgh are committing to paying the Real Living Wage, meaning thousands more workers are earning a fair day’s pay.
“There are now 790 Living Wage Employers – up more than 40 on last year – and I’d like to thank each and every one for making the effort to sign up.
“More than 80,000 residents in Edinburgh are struggling to make ends meet and earning a fair wage is key to tackling poverty and the rising costs of living. We want to continue working with employers to encourage them to commit to paying the Real Living Wage and Living Wage Week is a great opportunity to highlight this.
“There’s still so much work to do but I’m really encouraged by the great strides made by employers across the city, despite facing their own pressures.”
Kat Brogan, Managing Director of Mercat Tours and Co-Chair of the Edinburgh Fair Work Action Group said: “Employers in Edinburgh are continuing to put the wellbeing of their workers first by committing to paying the Real Living Wage. This is despite challenging economic conditions with rising business costs.
“Paying the Real Living Wage is more important than ever. The cost of living continues to rise, and we are seeing persistent levels of poverty in the city, particularly in-work poverty.
“We know that well paid, fair and secure work is one of the best and most sustainable routes out of poverty. By committing to paying the Real Living Wage, employers are doing their bit to support city-wide efforts to reduce levels of poverty.”
THE latest Amazon Economic Impact Report shows that Amazon has invested over £3.7 billion in Scotland since 2010. These figures are taken from the updated Amazon Economic Impact Hub, documenting Amazon’s investments in Scotland and throughout the UK over the past 15 years.
The 2025 Amazon UK Economic Impact Hub features comprehensive data covering employment opportunities Amazon has generated across the region and the scope of economic activity driven by its investments.
Key findings from the 2025 Amazon Economic Impact Report include:
Amazon has invested over £3.7 billion in Scotland and more than £2.8 billion in Eastern Scotland since 2010.
This investment led to the production of goods and services that contributed an estimated £3 billion to Scotland’s GDP since 2010.
Over 520 people in Scotland have successfully completed Amazon’s career development and skills training initiatives since 2010.
More than 90 apprentices from Scotland have graduated through the Amazon Apprenticeship programme since 2010.
Since 2010, Amazon has created over 3,000 full and part-time employment opportunities across Scotland.
“Amazon is committed to strengthening the regional economy and supporting the broader Scottish community through strategic investments, employment creation, charitable contributions and community engagement initiatives,” said Jamie Strain, General Manager from Amazon in Dunfermline.
“As we maintain our commitment to regional economic development, we’re enhancing our partnerships with community organisations throughout Dunfermline.
“In 2025 so far, our team has collaborated with many organisations including Scot Baby Box Appeal, Fife Gingerbread and Cardenden Primary School through volunteer engagement, product contributions and direct financial assistance.
“We look forward to expanding our community support initiatives in the months ahead as we continue serving customers, sellers and communities.”
Amazon recently announced plans to invest £40 billion in the UK over the next three years (2025-2027). This investment includes building four new fulfilment centres and new delivery stations nationwide, as well as upgrades and expansions to its existing network of over 100 operations buildings across the country.
The investment will create thousands of new permanent, full-time jobs in the UK, with the vast majority outside of London and the South East. These include 2,000 jobs at the previously announced state-of-the-art fulfilment centre in Hull and 2,000 jobs at another in Northampton, plus additional positions at new sites in the East Midlands and at delivery stations across the country.
As a top 10 private sector employer, Amazon already employs over 75,000 people in the UK, providing roles of all kinds, at all levels, across every region of the country.
Amazon pays full-time employees a minimum of £28,000 per year (£30,000 in London), and will create over 60 different roles at the new sites, including positions for robotics technicians, safety experts, and mechatronic engineers.
Thousands more North Sea workers will be able to access tailored support to help them transition into jobs in the sustainable energy sector – thanks to an £18 million boost in funding.
The Scottish Government will invest a total of £9 million over the next three years to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund, matched by £9 million from the UK Government, to help oil and gas workers access careers advice and funding for training to enable them to move into roles in sustainable energy industries.
Launched as a pilot programme in June, in response to demand from oil and gas workers, the scheme has received a total of £1.39 million funding to date, with at least 300 workers in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire set to be supported in this financial year.
The additional government funding will allow thousands of additional workers to be supported by 2029. Both Governments will now work with trade unions and industry to develop and promote the scheme and explore opportunities for additional private investment.
More than £120 million has already been invested by the Scottish Government in the North East through the Just Transition Fund and the Energy Transition Fund to support the region’s transition to net zero. This funding has helped create green jobs, support innovation, and secured the highly skilled workforce of the future.
Energy Secretary Gillian Martin said: “Scotland’s innovation, expertise and vast renewable energy resources will not only benefit the planet – but deliver new economic opportunities and new jobs for households and communities across the country.
“This continued and expanded funding to the Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund will support more offshore workers to take on different roles across the sustainable energy sector over the next three years – helping to deliver a fair and managed transition to the sector.
“We will continue to explore how best to support Scotland’s energy skills transition, working closely with the UK Government on options like guaranteed interview schemes, redeployment pools and skills passporting.”
UK Government Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “Communities across Scotland have long been calling out for a new generation of good industrial jobs. The clean energy jobs boom can answer that call – and today we publish a landmark national plan to make it happen and places Scotland at the very heart of the clean energy revolution this government is delivering.
“Our plans will help create an economy in which there is no need to leave your hometown just to find a decent job. Thanks to this government’s commitment to clean energy a generation of young people in Scotland can have well-paid secure jobs, from plumbers to electricians and welders.
“This is a pro-worker, pro-jobs, pro-union, agenda that will deliver the national renewal our country needs.”
All future Scottish Government funding remains dependent on the upcoming 2026/27 Scottish Budget, Scottish Spending Review and future annual Scottish Budget.
The Oil and Gas Transition Training Fund is aimed at individuals who are currently working (or have worked in the last two years) in the oil and gas industry.
Further information regarding the pilot can be found here: Home
Communities set to benefit from better jobs and more opportunities in tech as 14 government-backed projects to support local tech sectors across the UK are unveiled
Government’s £1 million Regional Tech Booster programme gets underway to support tech businesses and founders, and grow local tech ecosystems
The projects across Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales and England will boost tech growth, and create more jobs and opportunities for people and communities outside London
A series of investment events will also take place, connecting UK tech brilliance with investors, with the first in Bristol and Leeds
The projects – funded under the government’s Regional Tech Booster programme – will provide businesses and entrepreneurs with targeted training, expert guidance, help to build networks, and support to scale their operations from within their communities.
This is to ensure that the jobs and benefits of a thriving tech sector are available to people right across the UK, not just in London, as part of the government’s Plan for Change.
These projects launch right off the back of UK-wide opportunities opening up for tech following the recent announcement of another AI Growth Zone, this time in the North East, and a suite of major tech investments across the UK, following the UK US Tech Prosperity Deal.
Regional Tech Booster projects will include a support scheme for early-stage gaming startups in Scotland, create pathways from further education to entrepreneurship in Lancashire, unlock growth for tech businesses ready to scale in Yorkshire, launch an AI innovation challenge in Wales, and accelerate the growth of the advanced connectivity technology industry in Suffolk.
Alongside the localised focus, some of the projects will also support greater diversity within the sector, with a focus on underrepresented founders. One in Northern Ireland will focus on boosting AI adoption amongst founders, and a West Midlands project will help underrepresented founders build up the networks and support they need to succeed in tech.
This comes as government’s commitment to promoting diversity in tech takes a leap forward, following the Tech Secretary’s announcement of an advisory group to be established to champion diversity across the sector and tech policy development.
Government is partnering with UK Tech Cluster Group to deliver the £1 million Regional Tech Booster programme, ensuring local expertise is driving the work on the ground in these communities.
The programme also includes a series of investment events, through a National Investment Corridors initiative, with the first 2 taking place in Bristol and Leeds later this year. The National Investment Corridors will put local tech centre-stage, boosting investment into the UK’s tech talent from beyond the capital.
Tech for Growth Minister, Kanishka Narayan MP said: “We want UK tech to grow and succeed from any and every corner of the country.
“It’s a no-brainer that supporting projects like these, and encouraging more investment across the UK, will catalyse our tech brilliance to boost economic growth and opportunities for communities nationwide.”
Dr David Dunn, UKTCG lead on Catalyst Pilot Projects said: “The sheer volume of strong applications we received shows there is a huge desire to grow tech ecosystems across the whole of the UK.
“As the projects are delivered, we are excited to share learning across other ecosystems – it is this multiplier effect of knowledge transfer that really makes the Regional Tech Booster initiative valuable.”
The Regional Tech Booster programme will also include workshops on tech ecosystem planning and sharing best practice for ecosystem development with authorities across the country.
Further Regional Tech Booster programme details, including investment event dates and venues, will be available via delivery partners, UK Tech Cluster Group, as they are confirmed.
Thousands more young people are to receive life-changing support into work or training – with football clubs across England signing up to help the Westminster Government in their mission to ensure every 18-to-21-year-old has the chance to earn or learn
Every Premier League Football Club Charity now in talks with DWP to support the Youth Guarantee – helping more young people get into work or training.
Youth Hub scheme to double to over 200 locations, giving more young people access to employment, skills and wellbeing support at football clubs, libraries and community centres closer to home.
EFL in the Community, the charitable arm of the English Football League (EFL), and Rugby Football League confirm new partnerships, harnessing the power of sport to champion young people and break down barriers to opportunities as part of the Plan for Change.
Thousands more young people are to receive life-changing support into work or training – with football clubs across England signing up to help the Westminster Government in their mission to ensure every 18-to-21-year-old has the chance to earn or learn.
The Government’s highly successful Youth Hubs – which are hosted by sports clubs and other community venues in England, Scotland and Wales – will almost double in number thanks to £25 million investment announced today.
The funding was announced as it was revealed that every Premier League club charity in England is now discussing with Government how they can help get young people earning or learning, while the EFL in the Community and Rugby Football League have also been confirmed as new partners, supporting the same aim.
This means even more young people across the country are being helped by their local teams, as well as the Government’s other Youth Guarantee partners.
To mark the expansion of the programme and our partnership with the Premier League, Secretary of State Pat McFadden will visit Selhurst Park, home to the Palace for Life Youth Hub and Crystal Palace football club, where he will meet staff and young people benefitting from the service to see first-hand the impact it is having in the community.
Youth Hubs offer personalised, wraparound employment, skills and wellbeing support to young people in the areas of highest need. Thanks to this latest investment they will almost double to over 200 places across England, Scotland and Wales in the next three years.
The Hubs bring support, such as CV and wellbeing advice, directly to young people – taking place in settings right at the heart of the community like sports clubs, libraries and community centres.
With nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training, this expansion is helping to inspire a renewed sense of purpose and ambition in young people as well as breaking down barriers to opportunity as part of the Plan for Change.
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden, said: “The number of young people not in education, employment or training is unacceptably high, and this government will not stand by while so many are robbed of their potential and our country of its future.
“Through our £25 million expansion of Youth Hubs and partnerships with the Premier League and other key organisations, we’re creating real opportunities for the next generation, ensuring support is targeted to those most in need.
“This investment will support our mission to give every young person the skills and confidence they need to thrive, as we break down barriers to opportunity under our Plan for Change.”
Run in partnership with Jobcentres, Youth Hubs bring Youth Work Coaches together with local partners including charities, councils and employers to provide everything from CV advice to skills training to careers guidance and wellbeing support.
In future, they will also provide access to mental health services, housing and homelessness support.
Erin is one of many young people who have flourished thanks to the government-funded support offered by her local Youth Hub.
Unemployed for two years and struggling with motivation, she visited the Palace for Life Youth Hub. After joining the hospitality programme where she gained valuable experience and confidence, she completed a work placement and was offered a permanent job, marking the start of an exciting new chapter.
The Secretary of State will host a roundtable at Selhurst Park with existing Youth Guarantee partners including the Premier League and Channel 4, as well as new partners such as the EFL in the Community and Rugby Football League.
Clare Sumner, chief policy and social impact officer at the Premier League said: “The Premier League is proud to support the expansion of Youth Hubs so young people, whatever their background, can access the opportunities, support and inspiration they deserve.
“Between 2022 and 2025, the Premier League has invested £1.6 billion into wider football and communities, helping support people of all ages who need it most, and create more chances for young people to learn and grow.
“By working in partnership with Government on the Youth Guarantee, we can build on this foundation and ensure Youth Hubs offer even more opportunities to help young people thrive.
“Together we are showing how football is more than a game, reaching those who need support most, helping them fulfil their potential and strengthening communities nationwide.”
"My first priority coming into the Department is to do more to get young people into work"
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden outlined on @timesradio how giving young people the opportunity and skills to get into good, productive work is his early area of focus at the DWP pic.twitter.com/0Kf1jW7uKN
The announcement is the latest example of the UK Government’s work to tackle the rising number of young people not in education, employment, or training.
In August, an additional £45 million was invested to extend funding for eight Youth Guarantee trailblazers across England whilst an extra £100 million will help to train up 40,000 young construction workers as the Government continues to break down barriers to opportunity under the Plan for Change.
It marks another step in the plan to Get Britain Working and raise living standards by modernising Jobcentres, boosting the National Living Wage, and creating more secure jobs through the Employment Rights Bill.
