Burnham says Neets review will outline new ways to support young people

Résumé détaillé

No 10 earlier failed to rule out that reforms would affect existing claimants.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the Neets review will “point to a new way of supporting young people”, after its author Alan Milburn said his proposals to tackle the number of out-of-work youths would not be “pain-free”.

The Government’s independent reviewer of youth unemployment suggested some people could receive less financial support under his proposals.

No 10 earlier failed to rule out that reforms would affect existing claimants, saying the UK cannot afford to “continue paying the cost of failure” when young people fall out of work, education or training and should instead “invest earlier” in their success.

Mr Burnham said the detail would come out next week, but told journalists in Ireland: “I do believe it will point to a new way of supporting young people and that new way will mean giving young people support when they need it as teenagers, rather than leaving them on benefits in their 20s.”

He cited more mental health support, apprenticeships and more opportunities beyond university.

Under Mr Milburn’s plans, under-25s would no longer be able to claim the health element of universal credit (UC) or personal independence payments (Pip), according to a Times report.

They would instead move on to a “youth allowance”, paid at the same level as the standard rate of universal credit, prompting campaigners and MPs to voice concerns over the extent of future support.

The Guardian reported that young people with disabilities would be able to apply to a local fund to help pay for equipment or for short-term costs like travelling to a course or interview.

Mr Burnham sidestepped a question of whether it would be difficult to get the support of Labour backbenchers for plans to cut benefits for under-25s, saying: “The principle that we’ll be working on is that we will guarantee support for young people”.

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