McFadden Launches Review into Youth Inactivity, citing ‘Crisis of Prospect’
LONDON – LaborS Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Pat McFadden, has announced an independent review into why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work and education, calling it a “crisis of opportunity.” The review, spearheaded by former Labour minister Alan Milburn, will examine failures across employment support, education, skills, health, and welfare systems.
The initiative follows a recent scaling back of planned welfare reforms,creating a £5 billion gap in government spending. McFadden, who took on the welfare brief in September, has pledged to continue pursuing reform despite the budgetary adjustments. The review aims to identify the root causes of youth inactivity and deliver “far-reaching recommendations for change” to improve prospects for young people.
Milburn stated the review will be “uncompromising in exposing failures” and will focus on preventing a generation from being “consigned to a life without employment or prospects.” He will be supported by a panel of expert advisors.
The review will run alongside an existing investigation led by disabilities minister Sir Stephen Timms into Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessments, which is being developed in collaboration with disabled people and relevant organizations.
McFadden, speaking to the Sunday Times, emphasized the need for a sensitive approach to rising reported rates of mental health conditions among young people, stating, “I don’t want to play amateur doctor. I want to approach this with sensitivity… I don’t believe there should be an automatic link between diagnosis and benefits.”
The announcement comes amid growing concern over youth unemployment and economic inactivity rates. The review’s findings are expected to inform future Labour policy proposals aimed at boosting opportunities for young people.
