New Proposal for Youth Transport and Employment
Prime Minister Andy Burnham is considering a policy that would offer free bus passes to 16-18 year olds in exchange for completing a work placement, as part of a broader push to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET). The Makerfield MP is expected to announce the plan on Tuesday, according to the I paper, just a week after introducing a £2 bus fare cap as part of his initial policy blitz. The new measures aim to provide affordable transport and skill-building opportunities for young people, particularly those seeking entry into the workforce.
Details of the Plan
Under the proposal, 16-18 year olds would receive cheaper or free bus fares if they commit to a work placement, while pupils aged 14 would also be offered technical courses to help them find local jobs. Burnham, who previously served as Greater Manchester Mayor, had championed a similar free bus pass scheme for 16-18 year olds in that region. He suggested that the policy could be linked to “a guarantee of a work related opportunity at 16” and a “45-day work placement,” alongside using “full social value weighting” in public procurement. This would mean every state contract could require work placements for 16-18 year olds or apprenticeships.
Reactions from Business and Social Enterprise Leaders
Peter Holbrook CBE, Group CEO of Social Enterprise UK, praised the announcement: “This is a welcome and critically important announcement. Today’s young people face greater uncertainty and more complex challenges than perhaps any previous generation. The UK’s future success demands us to ensure that every young person can achieve their greatest potential. This £3.5 billion commitment will provide young people with the skills and support needed to either start a fulfilling career or equipped as entrepreneurs, to start a business. This is the right thing to do.”
Rain Newton-Smith, CBI Chief Executive, also commented: “There is an economic and moral imperative to tackle youth unemployment. Every young person out of work is unfulfilled potential, and economic growth is key to creating the opportunities they are looking for. Businesses need skills. Young people need opportunity. But right now, the system is not joining those two things up. We are asking young people to enter a labour market being reshaped at speed – and too many are not equipped to navigate it. Our members are ready to partner with the government and regional leaders to remove barriers to hiring and build pathways for young people into fulfilling work. Getting more people into work remains the most powerful route to higher living standards.”
Context and Impact
The announcement comes after Burnham succeeded Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister in a Labour Party government. His opening week included a £2 bus fare cap, and the new youth transport policy is seen as a continuation of his focus on affordable travel and employment. The NEET crisis has been a persistent issue, with recent statistics showing hundreds of thousands of young people not in education, employment, or training. By linking free bus passes to work placements, Burnham aims to remove transport barriers and incentivize youth engagement in the economy.
