Employment: Youth unemployment report chief urges Andy Burnham to slash welfare to help more people into work

BREAKING Australian MP left with severe injuries after being struck by car outside office 1792398578.679 Youth unemployment report chief urges Andy Burnham to slash welfare to help more people into work Alan Milburn's report is expected to call for more integrated employment, mental health, and benefits support Sign up to the Politics Newsletter Email address Sign up I agree to receive updates and information about my account, the GB News Community, and related products and services from GB News. By signing up you agree to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy and Community Rules. Thank you for signing up! See the latest from GB News here . Choose GB News on Google - add us as a preferred source Choose GB News Support GB News Champion free speech and independent journalism while unlocking exclusive benefits. Support us The author of Labour's landmark report on youth unemployment has urged Andy Burnham to cut welfare in order to fund job support. Alan Milburn has called on the Prime Minister to "redistribute money" from handouts to support young people classified as NEET, meaning they are not in employment, education, or training. Mr Milburn, a former Health Secretary, is expected to publish a report on the NEET issue, with a series of recommendations after the Budget at the end of October. Almost one million young people are currently classed as NEET, according to the Office for National Statistics, contributing to the welfare bill and making efforts to boost youth employment a key priority for Labour. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Speaking to the Guardian, Mr Milburn suggested his report would likely recommend cutting benefit spending to channel the money into supporting people to return to work. He said: “We’ve got to have a different conversation about the welfare system; it just isn’t working for young people. “We need to redistribute money from the welfare system to more employment support if we are going to end the NEET crisis.” Mr Milburn also called for employment, mental health and benefits support to be more integrated. Alan Milburn, author of the Milburn report, has warned the current welfare system is 'morally indefensible' | PA He said: "Over the medium term, it is entirely possible that you can reduce the benefits bill, but in order to do that, you’ve got to provide the support for young people. "You’ve got to increase the opportunities that are available for young people and then provide the support for them to enable them to grab those opportunities." Writing in the Times on Monday, Andy Burnham promised to take Mr Milburn’s recommendations seriously, calling the number of NEETs"an economic catastrophe and a moral failure". Pledging to guarantee young people support "up front", he added: "We face a choice. We either invest in the success of our young people or pay for failure through the benefits system. We cannot afford to do both." LATEST DEVELOPMENTS MAPPED: The nine cities where 250,000 jobless young people are locked out of work Youth unemployment crisis continues as nearly one million young Britons still not in work or education, ONS confirms Youth joblessness hits record post-pandemic high as more young people just stop looking for work Andy Burnham has been urged to get a grip of the youth employment crisis | PA Labour is expected to publish a series of "jobs plans" for key sectors this week, starting with professional services and construction. The plans will make 22,400 apprenticeships a year available through accountancy, legal services and consultancy firms for under-25s. Construction firms have agreed to offer another 40,000 placements. Labour hopes its jobs plan will help young people gain employment in Britain’s key industries identified by Labour’s industrial strategy. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said too many young people were being 'denied the chance to get a foot on the career ladder' | PA Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said: "Reindustrialising Britain means giving workers the skills they need to get good jobs in growing industries. "Too many young people are being denied the chance to get a foot on the career ladder. "These jobs plans bring government and industry together to change that, opening up more apprenticeships, training and vocational routes into rewarding careers." Further jobs plans for the digital, technology and defence industries are expected later in the week. Julia Lopez said Labour had been a 'disaster for youth jobs' | HOUSE OF COMMONS Shadow Business Secretary Julia Lopez said: "Labour have been a disaster for youth jobs. "Their tax hikes and red tape have made it harder for businesses to hire, invest and grow, destroying opportunities for young people looking to take their first step on the career ladder. "After increasing costs on employers and burdening firms with more red tape, Labour are now trying to paper over the cracks." Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter Live Politics John Healey eyes another tax raid as family businesses warn they are being pushed ‘to extinction’ Politics Passengers who blast music without headphones on buses and trains could be hit with £100 fines Politics Reform UK's deputy leader Richard Tice weds partner Isabel Oakeshott in 'special' ceremony Politics Zack Polanski won’t overturn Green Party’s ‘Zionism is racism’ motion despite sinking to new polling low Politics Reform councillors face 'no further action' after calling for grooming gang executions Politics Zack Polanski slumps to lowest ever poll rating after ‘bruising’ month for Green Party Politics 'Queer migrant' Green politician fails in bid to become rector of historic university Politics John Swinney splurges £30million of taxpayers' money on fund to 'fight the far-right' in Scotland Politics Reform UK mayor and Olympic gold medalist under investigation for 'showing naked pictures of himself to female staffer' Politics Conservatives leapfrog Reform UK as top pollster suggests 'tectonic plates are shifting' on British right Politics John Healey signals support for third runway at Heathrow despite Andy Burnham ducking issue Politics Labour urged to slash 'outdated' red tape to 'reclaim Britain's place as a global nuclear leader' Politics National security adviser’s wife accused of backing Palestine Action Politics Andy Burnham accused of £500m 'class war' as Labour councils set for 'funding boost' Politics Thames Valley Commissioner urges Shabana Mahmood to reconsider Piddington decision Politics Reform councillor had to strip and isolate outside his home after dangerous package sent to his address Politics Rift on the Right gifts Andy Burnham another by-election victory as Rupert Lowe 'stitch-up' deepens Politics Criminal investigation launched into Your Party founding over unauthorised access to political database Politics Mega poll hands Andy Burnham 56-seat majority in Labour revival as Tories pushed ahead of Reform UK Politics Andy Burnham rules out holding Scottish independence vote after striking alliance with SNP Politics Lucy Powell to put speaking skills on same level as reading and writing in 'Orwellian' plans Exclusive Politics Andy Burnham set for 'fight of his political life' over broken welfare system Politics Equalities watchdog probes Green Party with antisemitism concerns after 'Zionism is racism' policy Politics Labour threatens Greens with 'urgent' ultimatum after Zack Polanski commits to 'antisemitic' policy Exclusive Politics Revealed: The staggering price rejoining the EU could cost British taxpayers Politics Andy Burnham pushes for deal to hand EU judges power over Britain as part of new migration pact Politics Shabana Mahmood's Trump-style visa ban shut down as embassy hits out at 'political gimmick' Politics Reform UK says there is 'no room for racism' in party after undercover investigation Politics Exposed: Four times Labour sought to undermine Brexit as Rejoiners push to overturn the will of the people Politics Britain gives Ukraine £17million to fund critical repairs to the Chernobyl power plant after Russia drone attack