UK Towns With Fewest Jobs For Young People Revealed
Rotherham has the fewest suitable job opportunities for young people, with a sixfold gap compared to the Cotswolds, according to a new report by the Institute for Public Policy Research
A report by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has revealed that Rotherham has the fewest suitable job opportunities for young people in the UK. The town has 46 online job vacancies for every 1,000 young people, compared to 288 in the Cotswolds, highlighting a sixfold gap in job vacancies between the two areas.
The report found that nine of the 10 best areas for youth job opportunities are in the south of England, with places such as Woking in Surrey, Gloucester, and Cherwell in Oxfordshire offering the most opportunities. In contrast, areas such as East Renfrewshire in Scotland, Newcastle-under-Lyme in Staffordshire, and Broxtowe in Nottinghamshire have job openings relative to the local youth population below the national average of 109.
The national average of online job vacancies for every 1,000 young people is 109, with Rotherham falling significantly short of this average. The report's findings come as ministers await recommendations from a review into Britain's crisis in youth worklessness, led by Alan Milburn. The review is expected to publish its findings next month, with over 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds not in employment, education or training (Neet) in the UK, the first time this number has surpassed 1 million in over a decade.
## Why it matters The IPPR's report highlights deep regional divisions in youth employment opportunities, with some areas offering significantly more job vacancies than others. This can have a major impact on the career prospects and future earning potential of young people, with those in areas with limited job opportunities facing a tougher challenge to find work. The report's findings will be closely watched by ministers, who are under pressure to address the crisis in youth worklessness and provide more support for young people looking to enter the workforce.
The IPPR has published a new 'local youth opportunity index' to track job vacancies across Britain, providing a valuable tool for policymakers and researchers to understand the challenges facing young people in different areas. As the UK government considers its response to the crisis in youth worklessness, the report's findings will be an important factor in shaping policy and providing support for young people in areas with limited job opportunities.
