Jeremy Clarkson has waded into the youth unemployment debate with a blistering attack on young people claiming benefits, saying they are "sitting at home gormlessly watching short-form nonsense on their massive vulgarsonic televisions."
The 66-year-old Who Wants To Be A Millionaire presenter wrote in The Sunday Times that unemployed youngsters with ADHD or other mental health issues can claim up to £194 a week - money paid for by tax rises in the Labour Party's last two budgets, both of which were led by then chancellor Rachel Reeves.
Comparison to dogs as 'uber benefits scroungers'
Clarkson went as far as comparing those on benefits to his three canine companions, which he described as "uber benefits scroungers" who repay his care with gratitude. He suggested Labour should use a similar tack to ease taxpayers' frustration at working hard to pay for others' benefits while getting nothing in return.
Clarkson's suggestion to Burnham
Writing in his Sunday Times column, Clarkson suggested to new Prime Minister Andy Burnham that every week, when benefits are paid, the recipient should be given the email address of a randomly selected person who is working every day. Unless a proper and genuine email is sent thanking the worker for their generosity, the benefits would stop.
"Every week, when the benefits are paid, the recipient is given the email address of a randomly selected person who is getting up and going to work every day. And they are told that unless a proper and genuine email is sent, thanking the working person for their generosity, the benefits will stop," he suggested.
He also insisted he would expect fulsome and effusive thanks rather than a cursory note. "I want to hear what they've done with the £194 I gave them that week....I want to feel their gratitude," he said.
Burnham's education reform
Burnham has pledged to tackle high youth unemployment and reform the education system to support young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET).
On Tuesday, July 28, he announced a major change to schooling in the UK. When teenage pupils enter Year 10, they will be able to pursue technical education alongside their core academic subjects.
The new Prime Minister said he wants "no dead ends" for young people leaving education and for technical pathways to be put on an equal footing with traditional academic routes.
The "prestigious" new technical pathways, which will pair skills training with work experience and connections with local employers, are set to be rolled out from September 2028.
