Daily Politics from the New Statesman Why Britain isn't working - with Alison McGovern, Minister of State for Employment
Feb 21, 2025
Alison McGovern, the Minister of State for Employment, dives into Britain's ongoing employment crisis, where 9 million working-age individuals remain jobless. She discusses alarming youth unemployment, with over a million disengaged from education or training. Mental health's impact on prolonged unemployment is critically explored, along with the need for welfare reforms to enhance local job opportunities. McGovern emphasizes the importance of supportive workplace environments and cooperative efforts between employers and government to promote improved employee rights.
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Long-Term Worklessness Among Young People
- Young people, the healthiest demographic, are increasingly facing long-term worklessness due to ill health.
- This is concerning as that first job is crucial for career development and long-term earning potential.
Policy Recommendations for Diverse Labor Markets
- Design policy that accounts for the UK's diverse labor markets, not as a single entity.
- Devolve employment support, giving local authorities more control and aligning it with regional growth plans.
First Job Lesson
- Alison McGovern recounts her first job at Browns of Chester, where her boss taught her a valuable lesson.
- She learned to respond with increasing politeness to rude customers, a skill she finds useful in politics.