Young people in the UK are more likely to leave their jobs for health reasons and become economically inactive when they work in insecure, low-paid sectors, according to research for the Trades Union Congress by the consultancy Timewise.
The study found that the occupations concentrated among young workers – such as hospitality, retail and care – are associated with high numbers of people moving into long-term sickness and worklessness. More than 40% of staff in accommodation and food services are on insecure arrangements, including zero-hours contracts, agency working or low-paid self-employment.
Timewise chief executive Clare McNeil said: “Insecure and poor-quality jobs are contributing to a rising epidemic of inactivity amongst the young, who have the most precarious, low-mobility jobs of all. Our analysis shows that expecting young people to take up insecure, physical, inflexible work when they are facing a disability or mental health problems is futile – too often these jobs don’t work and they don’t last.”
Official figures show 957,000 people aged 16-24 were not in employment, education or training in the final three months of 2025, with almost half reporting ill health or disability. The former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn is conducting a government-commissioned review of youth inactivity, expected to report this summer. Separately, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden has announced a £1bn scheme offering employers £3,000 to take on a young person out of work for six months or more.
TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said the link between job quality and inactivity underlined the importance of implementing the Employment Rights Act in full. “Young people need good secure jobs with decent prospects, including notice of their shifts and sick pay when they’re ill,” he said. Some provisions, such as statutory sick pay from day one, come into force this month, while shift-notice rights follow in 2027.
Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, defended the sector, saying it “is proven to offer quality, fulfilling and flexible pathways into work and careers”, but warned that rising employment costs particularly penalise entry-level and part-time roles.
