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UK retailers seek to create 100,000 jobs for young unemployed over next 3 years
About 40 retailers will offer more than 11,000 placements as ministers aim to move young Universal Credit claimants into permanent jobs.
- On Tuesday, the British Retail Consortium and Department for Work and Pensions launched 'Opening Shift', a scheme aiming to create 100,000 jobs for NEETs aged 18–24 by the 2029 election.
- Government data shows 981,000 people aged 16–24 were classified as NEET between April and June 2026, a figure 30,000 higher than in 2025 amid the 'no experience, no job' cycle.
- Approximately 40 retailers, including Tesco and John Lewis, have signed up to provide more than 11,000 placements of two-to-four weeks, allowing eligible Universal Credit claimants to retain benefits.
- Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the scheme offers 'huge' benefits and an end-of-placement interview, aiming to convert experience into permanent hires while expanding beyond retail.
- Ministers have commissioned Blair-era cabinet minister Alan Milburn to provide recommendations on cutting youth unemployment, alongside recruiting former M&S chairman Marc Bolland to lead business engagement.
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David Taylor MP welcomes major retail drive to create 100,000 jobs for young people
Young people across Hemel Hempstead could benefit from a major new partnership between the Government and Britain's leading retailers, designed to give thousands of young people the experience they need to take their first step into work.
·Hemel Hempstead, United Kingdom
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Britain's biggest employers to offer thousands of youngsters on benefits work experience in bid to drive down 'Neet' crisis
Tesco, John Lewis, Curry’s and Costa Coffee will be offered directly to young Universal Credit claimants in a programme dubbed “Opening Shift”.
·London, United Kingdom
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources35
Leaning Left2Leaning Right4Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution46% Center
Bias Distribution
- 46% of the sources are Center
46% Center
L 18%
C 46%
R 36%
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