M&S, Asda, Sainsbury's, and Tesco have jointly written to the government, urging immediate action to address rising youth unemployment. The chief executives of these major retailers, along with others, have addressed a letter to Sir Keir Starmer, warning that the 'ladder of opportunity for young people is wobbling.'
Retail Leaders Call for Taskforce
The British Retail Consortium (BRC) drafted the letter, which is being circulated among its 200 members, including all major UK retailers. The letter calls for the creation of a joint retail and government taskforce to tackle the issue. It is expected to be published on Wednesday. The BRC will argue that 'many of us started on the shop floor' and that 'retail has always been where any young person can start with few qualifications, limited experience and build a lasting career.'
Reducing Employment Costs
The lobby group is urging the Labour government to reduce costs associated with employing young people, stating this would 'help our businesses create more opportunities.' The draft letter specifically asks Starmer to 'ensure employment and skills reforms support, rather than discourage, entry-level recruitment and progression.'
In addition to Asda, Tesco, Morrisons, and Sainsbury's, the letter has received backing from M&S and Primark. The BRC emphasizes the importance of retail as a sector that has traditionally provided entry-level jobs for young people with limited qualifications.
Concerns Over Entry-Level Job Decline
Last month, Simon Wolfson, chief executive of Next, highlighted a 'dramatic fall' in the number of entry-level jobs in the UK. He noted that 'youth unemployment is really a symptom of wider problems with employment in the economy' and that 'if you've got fewer jobs, the people who suffer most are the people with the least experience.'
To combat this trend, M&S has launched a training scheme for young people at the start of their careers. Stuart Machin, chief executive of M&S, who began his own career pushing trolleys at age 16, warned that 'today we're losing out on limitless potential, and letting down a generation of kids just like me.'
