Mark Pritchard calls for armed forces to play a role in tackling youth unemployment
Category
🗞
NewsTranscript
00:00Youth unemployment stood at 642,000 as of the last quarter of 2024, a rise of 136,000
00:10on 2023, and a youth unemployment rate of 14.8%. She mentioned earlier in her statement
00:17earn and learn. Does she agree with me that one way of perhaps attracting some people
00:23back into work is for her to have discussions with her colleague in the Ministry of Defence,
00:27the Defence Secretary, and would she agree with me that getting more young people into
00:33His Majesty's Armed Forces—Air Force, Navy, Army—would be a starting place?
00:39I absolutely agree with the hon. Gentleman. Indeed, before I was appointed to this position
00:44in opposition as a constituency MP, I have discussed with my local jobs centre and the
00:49Armed Forces recruitment precisely these issues, because of the really exciting careers and
00:54opportunities that are available, which I think are really important for young people
00:58in my constituency and the one that he represents. I will certainly be having more conversations
01:04with colleagues in the Ministry of Defence to make sure we put this plan into action.