GOVERNMENT WANTS UNEMPLOYED YOUNG PEOPLE TO JOIN ARMED FORCES – The government’s plan is part of its strategy to reduce dependency on benefits
Encouraging more young people to enlist in the armed forces could help reduce youth unemployment, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall now suggests.
Kendall expressed strong support for increasing recruitment into the Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, and British Army, all of which are currently facing manpower shortages. She pledged to take action following discussions with the Ministry of Defence (MoD).
Her remarks came in response to Conservative MP Mark Pritchard, who highlighted concerning youth unemployment figures.
Between October and December last year, 642,000 young people were unemployed—an increase of 136,000 from the previous year—bringing the youth unemployment rate to 14.8%, up from 11.9%.
The government plans to encourage more young people to join the armed forces as part of its strategy to reduce dependency on benefits with Kendall confirming that she will be meeting with MoD officials to advance the initiative.
“I absolutely agree,” she stated. “Before taking on this role, I had already discussed with my local job centre and armed forces recruitment teams the exciting careers and opportunities available for young people. I will certainly be having more discussions with colleagues in the MoD to put this plan into action.”
The announcement follows Kendall’s recent policy change, which will make individuals under 22 ineligible for certain benefits. The government’s broader aim is to address rising youth unemployment while strengthening military recruitment.
