The Newshound

UK youth unemployment hits 16.2% as businesses and unions clash over how to fix the crisis

From the Newshound archive · first published 19 September 2026.

Business and unions remain divided over how to fix the youth unemployment crisis, as around five million 18 to 34-year-olds now live with their parents, unable to afford rent let alone a deposit.
Business and unions remain divided over how to fix the youth unemployment crisis, as around five million 18 to 34-year-olds now live with their parents, unable to afford rent let alone a deposit.

UK youth unemployment has reached 16.2%, leaving close to one in six young people without work even as overall employment hovers near record highs. Business and unions remain sharply divided on how to address a crisis that is shutting a generation out of the labour market. With around 35% of construction workers aged over 50, anxiety is growing that the industry faces a skills collapse as that cohort approaches retirement. Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called for technical education to begin earlier and for closer ties between employers and young people.

The Construction Industry Training Board warns that the sector must bring in vast numbers of additional workers, yet the pool of young people entering the trade remains dangerously thin.

Ireland, by contrast, has a stabilised jobs market with unemployment at just 5% — exposing how far behind the UK is on workforce planning.

Morebusinessplus.ieJob market stabilises as AI features in almost 15% of vacanciesfenews.co.ukSkills for Every Future: Connecting Young People with the UK’s Workforce NeedsFinancial TimesBusiness and unions clash over how to fix UK’s youth jobs shortage
Read today's full feed at The Newshound →