Overview
- Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden is expected to set out the package on Monday, according to multiple reports.
- Employers would receive £3,000 for taking on under‑25s who have been on Universal Credit for more than six months, as reported.
- Small businesses are poised to get £2,000 for recruiting apprentices under measures modelled on a pandemic‑era scheme.
- Labour plans to widen its jobs guarantee to all under‑25s, with up to 40,000 additional paid placements for young people out of work or study for 18 months.
- The government also plans to refocus the £4.5bn growth and skills levy toward entry‑level ‘foundation apprenticeships’ while limiting funding for level‑7 courses, with an external review led by Alan Milburn underway.