ANDY BURNHAM was warned against pushing young people into “any job available” today after he pledged “big changes” to reduce the welfare bill.
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Writing in The Times, he said that every young person will be guaranteed a “high-quality technical pathway, work placements, apprenticeships and the skills and experience they need to secure a good job” with “timely, high-quality mental health support” available.
But that will be matched by an “expectation that young people will take up the opportunities made available to them”, Mr Burnham said.
Public and Commercial Services union general secretary Fran Heathcote told the Morning Star: “Creating opportunities for young people is welcome, but apprenticeships and placements are only meaningful if they lead to decent, secure jobs with proper pay and progression.
“Young people need more than a foot on the career ladder — they need a realistic chance to build a future.
“The answer to youth unemployment cannot be to cut benefits and push people into any job available.
“The government must invest in genuine employment support, good-quality jobs and the public services that provide thousands of career opportunities for young people.”
Green Party deputy co-leader Mothin Ali also accused Labour of planning a “welfare cuts charter that would take support away from young people who are already struggling and vulnerable.”
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