A former executive from Marks & Spencer has been appointed to lead a new government initiative aimed at assisting young individuals in finding employment or pursuing education. Marc Bolland will work with leaders from various sectors to address the issue of one million young people who are not engaged in employment, education, or training (Neet).
In addition to his role in leading prominent companies like Marks & Spencer, Morrisons, and Heineken, Bolland is also the founder of the Movement to Work charity, which has successfully supported over 200,000 unemployed youths in securing employment opportunities.
Bolland will provide advice to the Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, on the government’s response to the Alan Milburn Review, which revealed that over 1 million young individuals are classified as ‘Neets,’ costing the economy and taxpayers a substantial £125 billion.
Expressing concern over the persistent challenge of youth unemployment, McFadden emphasized the importance of addressing the underlying causes. Bolland’s appointment underscores the government’s commitment to tackling this issue, leveraging his business expertise and experience with Movement to Work to create opportunities for young people in need.
In his statement, Bolland highlighted the collaborative efforts between Movement to Work and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in assisting Neets and expressed his dedication to supporting the government in addressing youth unemployment.
The report by Milburn also revealed that the majority of Neets have never held a job, signifying a concerning trend compared to data from two decades ago. Furthermore, research indicated that eight out of the top 10 English regions with a high Neet likelihood are located in the North of England and Midlands, including areas like Knowsley, Middlesborough, Nottingham, Hartlepool, and Manchester, with Islington borough in London also identified.
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