DWP Jobs Guarantee Universal Credit young people, Digi Mart USA News (United Kingdom): The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that its Jobs Guarantee scheme will be rolled out nationally across England, Scotland and Wales from the end of November, following a successful pilot. The scheme is aimed at helping more than 90,000 young people who are furthest from employment into work by March 2029.
The waiting period to access the scheme is also being shortened. From April, eligible 18 to 24-year-olds will be offered a fully funded position after 12 months of unemployment, down from the previous 18 months.
The national rollout follows a pilot in six areas with the highest rates of youth unemployment.
Under the Youth Guarantee, the government fully funds up to 25 hours of paid work per week for six months at the relevant minimum wage. Positions are matched to each claimant’s individual skills, and participants also receive tailored pre-employment and in-work support, from building confidence to developing on-the-job skills.
According to the DWP, more than 400 employers have signed up, including Lidl, Boots and Leonardo Hotels.
Local authorities and mayors helped choose delivery partners so that the positions benefit local communities. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said that the longer someone is out of work, the harder it is to return, and that the expansion is intended to bring help forward so that it arrives when it matters most.
The DWP has also said the programme will be expanded further. From April 2027, people claiming the health element of Universal Credit will be offered a guaranteed job on a voluntary basis, which the government says is intended to support young people with health conditions or disabilities to take part in the workforce.
The Jobs Guarantee forms the final stage of a broader £2.5 billion package of support for young people on Universal Credit. That package also includes early intervention from Work Coaches, local Youth Hubs, and employer hiring payments for those out of work for six months.
The article notes that a landmark review into youth inactivity by Alan Milburn is due to be published next week.
