𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮𝓭 𝓝𝓮𝔀𝓼

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said last month that the rate of unemployment lifted to 5.2% in the three months to December, up from 5.1% in the three months to November.

This was the highest since the three months to January 2021, and outside of the pandemic era, it marks the highest since the autumn of 2015.

Experts said young workers were among the hardest hit, with almost one in six left without a job.

Ms Reeves also hinted at action to help young people without a job. She said: “In the last five years of the previous government, the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet) increased by 113,000, the number of inactive people reached record highs under their government, and over the last decade, apprenticeship starts by young people fell by 40%.

“This Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind – we are already taking action with additional investment to reform apprenticeships to prioritise young people, and through the £820 million youth guarantee, providing young people with employment support and the guaranteed job.

“And in the coming weeks, I will set out more reforms to undo the Tory legacy of neglect and give young people the support and the opportunity that they deserve.”

The Chancellor is reported to be planning a u-turn over massive increases to the minimum wage for young people, after employers warned it would lead to them cutting jobs.