Former M&S chief appointed to tackle UK youth unemployment

The Story

Marc Bolland, former chief executive of Marks & Spencer, has been appointed as a government jobs adviser to address youth unemployment in the UK. Bolland will lead a summit of business leaders, amid warnings that the country risks a “lost generation” without urgent intervention. About 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds – roughly one in eight – are not in education, employment or training, according to the article. An interim report by former health secretary Alan Milburn warned that this number could increase to 1.25 million by the 2030s without action. Bolland has been appointed as lead non-executive director at the Department for Work and Pensions, with his role including working with charities supporting disabled young people. The government said Bolland would advise work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden on how to respond to Milburn’s findings. The appointment comes as data shows the UK’s NEET proportion is 12.5%, higher than in countries like the Netherlands at 5%. Milburn’s report also found that six in 10 young people have never had a job, compared with four in 10 in 2005, and the economic cost is estimated at £125bn.

Key Facts

• Marc Bolland, former chief executive of Marks & Spencer (2010-2016) and former Morrisons CEO, appointed as lead non-executive director at the Department for Work and Pensions.
• He will lead a summit of business leaders to tackle youth unemployment.
• About 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK are not in education, employment or training (NEETs).
• An interim report by Alan Milburn warns NEETs could rise to 1.25 million by the 2030s.
• Bolland’s charity Movement to Work has helped over 200,000 unemployed young people find jobs.
• Bolland will advise work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden and work with charities supporting disabled young people.
• The proportion of NEETs in the UK is 12.5%, compared to about 5% in the Netherlands.
• Milburn’s report found that six in 10 young people have never had a job, up from four in 10 in 2005.
• The economic cost of youth unemployment is estimated at £125bn.
• For every £25 spent on benefits for young people, only £1 is spent on helping them find work.
• Almost half of those who claim a health or disability benefit before age 24 are still unemployed or not in education a decade later.

Conflicting Reports

No conflicting reports identified in the source article.

Still Unclear

No open questions identified in the source article.

Misconceptions

No widespread misconceptions addressed in the source article.

Key Figures

• Marc Bolland (former chief executive of Marks & Spencer, lead non-executive director at DWP)
• Alan Milburn (former health secretary, author of interim report)
• Pat McFadden (work and pensions secretary)

Sources: The Guardian