The Department for Work and Pensions is facing calls to move 300,000 households off benefits as new data highlights a persistent joblessness crisis. According to DWP figures, the number of households where every adult of working age has never been employed has reached 300,000.
The Office for National Statistics reported 298,000 such households, prompting concern among politicians. Last week, Labour Party grandee Alan Milburn warned of a "lost generation" being pushed onto DWP handouts. He urged ministers to confront a "whole-system failure" that traps people on benefits.
Shadow work and pensions secretary Helen Whately expressed being "very concerned" by the number of young people not in work, education, or training. Speaking on Radio 4's Today programme, Whately said the Conservative Party would address the issue by reducing "red tape" in the Employment Rights Bill and supporting businesses to create jobs. "What people really want is jobs - you've got to back businesses to create jobs," she stated.
Reform UK politician Lee Anderson also commented, calling the situation a "Lost Generation." He highlighted that over a million 16 to 24-year-olds are now out of work or education. Anderson questioned the effectiveness of government policies and called for urgent steps to help businesses and improve employment rates.
