Doncaster Chamber Call for New Government Priorities Following Prime Minister Resignation.

Doncaster Chamber are urging Government to use the Prime Minister’s resignation as an opportunity to rethink its approach to rising youth unemployment. 

Youth unemployment remains a significant challenge across the UK, with too many young people aged 16–24 finding themselves outside employment, education or training. With a new chapter beginning in national leadership, Doncaster Chamber believes now is the time to reassess policies that are unintentionally making it harder for businesses to create opportunities for young people. 

Recent findings from the South Yorkshire Workforce Costs and Youth Employment Survey suggest employers remain willing to play their part. Nearly 70% of businesses reported a positive outlook towards hiring people under the age of 21. However, almost a third said that increases in employment costs, including rises in the National Minimum Wage, had reduced their willingness or ability to recruit younger workers. 

The survey found that the issue is not a lack of commitment from businesses. Employers across South Yorkshire continue to demonstrate a strong desire to support apprenticeships, work placements and routes into employment for those currently outside the labour market. However, businesses report that rising regulatory and policy-driven costs are increasing the risks associated with these investments. 

Dan Fell MBE, Chief Executive of Doncaster Chamber, said, “The alarm bell couldn't be ringing more clearly. Businesses aren't asking Government to solve this problem for them – they're asking Government to stop making it harder. Get out of the way, remove the barriers to hiring, and employers will create the opportunities young people need." 

One of the clearest messages from the survey was that employers want the confidence and flexibility to invest in young talent. Businesses believe that reducing barriers to recruitment and training would be a more effective way of tackling youth unemployment than relying on costly intervention programmes. 

The cost of employing and training apprentices was identified as the single biggest barrier to apprentice recruitment, with 43% of respondents citing this as a major challenge. While employers remain committed to developing the next generation of skilled workers, many believe current policies are making it increasingly difficult to do so. 

The Chamber is calling on Government to work more closely with businesses to create a policy environment that encourages recruitment, supports apprenticeship growth and helps more young people into meaningful employment. If Government is serious about reducing youth unemployment, it must remove the barriers when it comes to employment rights and employee costs.