Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has defended young people against accusations of being 'snowflakes and shirkers' as London grapples with a severe youth unemployment crisis. The capital's unemployment rate for 16 to 24-year-olds has reached 24.6 per cent, the highest in the country, with approximately 135,000 young Londoners actively seeking work between November and January.
Minister's response to criticism
Speaking to the Standard, Mr McFadden described the situation as a 'challenge' for the government and stressed that he does not want to see 'young people leaving education and going on to a life on benefits'. He rejected negative stereotypes, stating: 'I reject the narrative that sometimes out there, that young people are snowflakes and shirkers, and they don't want to work. I think young people do want to work.'
Mr McFadden cited the interim Alan Milburn report, which found that 85 per cent of unemployed young people genuinely want to work. 'What young people need is a chance,' he added.
Leaked messages and economic concerns
Last week, leaked WhatsApp messages between Mr McFadden and disgraced peer Peter Mandelson revealed the minister's frustrations. In one exchange, Mr McFadden wrote: 'Every meeting I have is: 'Who can we tax in order to pay benefits to others?' They're asking the wrong questions.' Lord Mandelson expressed being 'very worried about the economy,' adding that 'confidence is being lost.'
Government initiatives to tackle youth unemployment
Mr McFadden visited Arsenal Community Hub at the Emirates Stadium to observe efforts addressing the Neets (Not in Education, Employment or Training) crisis. The Premier League club runs a football coaching academy and a sector-based work academy programme (SWAP), a government-funded scheme helping unemployed benefit claimants gain skills and find local work.
The minister acknowledged that youth unemployment has been rising in Britain for 'four or five years' due to 'structural issues in the labour market that make it harder for young people to get that first step into work.' He outlined the government's response under the Youth Guarantee, which includes hiring incentives for employers, changes to the apprenticeship system, and 300,000 more work experience placements.
'The last thing I want to see is young people leaving education and going on to a life on benefits, so I think this is a challenge for the country,' Mr McFadden said.
Role of football clubs
Mr McFadden praised schemes like Arsenal's for their impact. 'Schemes like this can make a difference, because the power of these Premier League brands is enormous, and if they can reach young people through the community arms of the clubs, like we do here at Arsenal, they can give them training and confidence, and really help them enter that first step into employment,' he said. He also highlighted similar work at his local club, Wolverhampton Wanderers, where the trust 'does fantastic work across the city.'
