US Edition
Rising UK Youth Unemployment Tests Government over Wage Pledge
Youth joblessness hit 16.1% in late 2025 as minimum wage rises and employer costs increase, impacting sectors like hospitality and retail, economists say.
- On Feb 20, 2026, Reuters reported that Britain’s youth unemployment hit a 10-year high, testing the Labour government’s plan to end lower pay rates for 18-20-year-olds.
- Official figures this week showed the jobless rate for people aged 16-24 rose to 16.1% in the final quarter of last year, exceeding rates in the euro zone and pandemic lows under 9.2%.
- Rises in the minimum wage have pushed the main minimum wage rate to 12.21 pounds an hour, with the 18-20-year-old rate up 46% to 10 pounds and set to rise to 10.85 pounds in April, while low-paid job vacancies fell sharply.
- Amid debate, The Times reported on Wednesday the government considers abandoning its plan to end lower pay for 18-20-year-olds, while a spokesperson said wage rises ensure proper rewards.
- Minimum wage rates for 2027 will be set in October or November by a public advisory body as official data show hospitality, retail, and IT sectors face sharp job losses, and smaller manufacturing firms hesitate to hire apprentices.
9 Articles
9 Articles
Labour's tax and wage policies blamed for youth unemployment crisis: 'It's self-inflicted!’
Britain’s youth unemployment surge is a “self‑inflicted” crisis driven by rising employment costs, a former senior figure at the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) has said.Andy King, who served on the watchdog’s Budget Responsibility Committee until 2023, criticised Labour's economic approach during an event hosted by the Resolution Foundation.He argued that the decision to increase employer National Insurance contributions alongside substa…
UK Youth Joblessness Surge Challenges Government Wage Policy
United Kingdom is facing a sharp rise in youth unemployment, placing mounting pressure on the centre-left government’s pledge to phase out lower minimum wage rates for younger workers. Official data show unemployment among 16–24-year-olds rose to 16.1% in the final quarter of last year, up from 13.8% in mid-2025 and far above the pandemic-era low […] The post UK Youth Joblessness Surge Challenges Government Wage Policy appeared first on Modern D…
UK Youth Unemployment Rises as Minimum Wage Debate Intensifies
Britain’s youth unemployment rate has climbed to its highest level in a decade, raising fresh concerns for the government’s labour market strategy. Official data shows that unemployment among those aged 16 to 24 rose to 16.1% in the final quarter of last year, up sharply from 13.8% in mid-2025. The increase places Britain ahead of […] The post UK Youth Unemployment Rises as Minimum Wage Debate Intensifies appeared first on StratNews Global.
UK Youth Unemployment Strains Government Over Wage Promise
The increase in youth unemployment in Britain has reached a decade-high, raising concerns for the center-left government over its strategy to gradually eliminate lower minimum wages for younger workers. Recent official data revealed that the unemployment rate among 16-24-year-olds climbed to 16.1% in the last quarter of 2025, up from 13.8% in mid-2025, and far above the pandemic-era low of under 9.2%. This youth unemployment rate now surpasses t…
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources lean Right
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
