As the Member of Parliament for Plymouth Sutton and Devonport, I know that our city is powered by the talent and ambition of our young people. Whether it’s in our world-class dockyard, our growing tech sector, or our vibrant independent businesses, the potential here is limitless. However, for too long, many of our young people have been let down by a system that hasn’t provided enough clear pathways into work.
That is why I am incredibly proud to welcome a major youth employment drive, backed by £1 billion from the Labour government. This investment is designed to create 200,000 jobs across the country and deliver the biggest transformation of apprenticeships in over a decade.
Reversing a Decade of Decline
In Plymouth, we’ve seen the impact of the national decline in apprenticeship starts-down 40% in the last ten years. We also inherited a growing crisis of young people who are “NEET” (Not in Education, Employment, or Training), with numbers rising by 248,000 between 2021 and 2024.
This government is determined to change that. We are committed to ensuring that every young person in Plymouth aged 16–24 has the opportunity to earn or learn.
What This Means for Plymouth
By increasing total investment into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy to £2.5 billion over the next three years, we are opening doors for nearly a million young people. For Plymouth’s businesses and school-leavers, the details are a game-changer:
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A New Youth Jobs Grant: Businesses in our city can receive £3,000 for every young person (aged 18–24) they hire who has been looking for work for six months. This is about giving a “leg up” to those who need it most.
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Expanded Jobs Guarantee: We are widening the age range to 18–24, creating an extra 35,000 subsidised jobs nationwide to help young people gain vital experience.
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Support for Small Businesses: SMEs are the backbone of Plymouth’s economy. They will now receive an Apprenticeship Incentive of £2,000 for every new employee aged 16–24 they take on.
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Levy Reform: We are reforming the Growth and Skills Levy to prioritise young apprentices, ensuring our school and college leavers have the chance to build careers in the cutting-edge industries that define our city’s future.
This is an exciting time for our city- major defence investment is coming into the city, £4.4bn over the next 10 years, which will bring an estimated 25 000 new jobs by 2025. I want Plymouth to be a city where no matter your background, you can find a high-skilled, well-paid job right here at home. This package is a massive step toward making that a reality.