Young people out of work? The government has a plan: get them into the army.
Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has announced a major benefits shake-up—and it includes pushing unemployed 16- to 24-year-olds towards military service. The move follows a sharp rise in youth unemployment, with numbers up 136,000 in just a year.
🎯 Military service as a job fix?
Speaking in the House of Commons, Kendall confirmed plans to meet with Ministry of Defence officials to discuss the proposal.
Conservative MP Mark Pritchard suggested the army, air force, and navy could provide a route back into employment. Kendall agreed, calling military careers “exciting opportunities” and promising to put the plan into action.
But not everyone is convinced. Critics argue the Government is cutting benefits while funnelling young people into military service instead of offering proper job support.
💰 Benefit cuts for under-22s
Alongside the push for military recruitment, Kendall also announced that under-22s will lose access to some benefits.
She justified the move by saying:
“Being out of work or training when you’re young is so damaging for your future prospects.”
Instead, the Government will reinvest savings into work support and training through its £240 million ‘Get Britain Working’ plan. The goal? To make sure every young person is either ‘earning or learning’.
⚠️ ‘Balancing the books on the backs of the vulnerable’
The benefit cuts sparked fury from Labour MPs, who accused the Government of hitting the most vulnerable to save cash.
Debbie Abrahams, Chair of the Work and Pensions Committee, didn’t hold back:
“There are more compassionate ways to balance the books than by targeting sick and disabled people.”
She pointed out that the changes will slash £5 billion from social security spending, making it the biggest cut since 2015.
She also warned of potentially devastating consequences, referencing past welfare cuts that had led to deaths among vulnerable people.
📊 ‘It’s not a cut’—or is it?
Kendall defended the Government’s position, insisting:
“Spending on working-age sickness and disability benefits will still rise—by £18 billion over this Parliament.”
She also promised to publish impact assessments alongside the Spring Statement next week.
But with unemployment rising, benefits shrinking, and a push towards army jobs, many will be asking: is this about helping young people—or just cutting costs?
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