The UK government announced a partnership with UKHospitality on 15 October. Major hotel and restaurant businesses have pledged to provide 100,000 paid jobs over three years for 18–24-year-olds who are not in education, employment or training, known as NEET.
The participating companies are Whitbread, McDonald’s, Nando’s, Marriott, Compass, Burger King, Parkdean Resorts, Haven, Fuller’s, Merlin Entertainments, Stonegate Group, Mitchells and Butler, Wagamama, Sodexo, WSH Limited and De Vere. Young people will also be offered work experience and training.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the initiative would open up 100,000 jobs and connect young people with employers. It builds on a plan announced last month to create 100,000 jobs in retail.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell will launch a call for views on reforming school exclusions. The government plans to consider support for children at risk of exclusion, ways to help them return to school after suspension, and how to ensure they continue learning outside the classroom. Pupils who miss at least 10% of lessons are 3.9 times more likely to become NEET.
The measures are part of a wider youth support programme. The government will provide an additional £2.5 billion for the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, aiming to reach almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn. Plans also include a Jobs Guarantee for more than 90,000 young people, 300,000 additional work experience and training places, and 50,000 extra apprenticeships. The Youth Hubs network is set to expand to more than 360 communities across the UK.
The £450 million Youth Matters programme will create and improve youth spaces and expand access to youth workers and in-person activities. From spring 2027, the government plans to recruit 1,000 new youth workers. Other measures include £3,000 incentives for employers who hire, 200,000 additional work experience places, and £4 billion over three years for reforms to support children with special educational needs.
