Thames Water has come under fire for hosting a careers day exclusively for refugees at its Reading headquarters, amid a growing youth unemployment crisis in the UK. The event, scheduled for Friday, aims to provide refugees with insights into the company's operations, networking opportunities with hiring teams, and information on future roles and skills.
The backlash follows a government review by former Labour health secretary Alan Milburn, which warned that the UK's youth unemployment crisis is costing the country approximately £125 billion annually in tax losses and higher health and welfare spending. The Office for National Statistics reported that the number of 16- to 24-year-olds not in education, employment, or training (NEET) rose to 1.01 million in the first quarter of this year.
Reform UK's Zia Yusuf criticised the water company, stating: 'While Britain is sleepwalking into a youth unemployment crisis, with nearly one in five young people on track to be without work, Thames Water has decided to offer career opportunities exclusively to refugees.' He added that young Britons should be prioritised for jobs and training in their own country.
Thames Water defended its initiative, emphasising its commitment to providing opportunities for young people. A spokesperson noted that 85% of recruits for its 2026 apprenticeship scheme are under 24, and the company runs targeted outreach programmes for underrepresented groups, including NEETs, prison leavers, and care leavers. 'This event is just one of the ways we are creating careers and building a skilled workforce for the future of the water sector,' the spokesperson said.
