London, (Shahzad Ali) __ The UK government has announced that approximately 350,000 job and training placements are being made available across the care, construction and hospitality sectors, but young people classified as NEETs could face sanctions if they refuse to take up the offers.

Under the new initiative, unemployed young people will be offered training or work opportunities in construction, social care and hospitality. However, failure to engage with the scheme could result in cuts to their benefits.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden confirmed on Sunday that 350,000 new training or employment opportunities would be offered to young people receiving Universal Credit. He added that sanctions would apply to those who do not cooperate with the government’s employment support measures.

The scheme is part of the Labour government’s broader policy to tackle the rising number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs). The UK currently has nearly one million NEETs aged 16 to 24, a situation experts describe as a deepening youth unemployment crisis.

In last month’s budget, Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced £820 million in funding for a “youth guarantee”, offering a six-month paid work placement to eligible 18- to 21-year-olds who have been claiming Universal Credit and searching for work for at least 18 months.

The job-guarantee programme is set to launch in the spring, with around 55,000 young people expected to benefit. According to the government, placements will be prioritised in regions with the greatest need, including Birmingham and Solihull, the East Midlands, Greater Manchester, Hertfordshire and Essex, central and eastern Scotland, and south-west and south-east Wales.
McFadden also announced that 900,000 young people would receive a dedicated “work support session”, followed by four weeks of intensive assistance to help them secure training, work experience or employment.

He said the government “expects” young people to take advantage of these opportunities. When asked whether benefit reductions could apply to those who fail to engage, McFadden replied:

“Yes, sanction is part of the system. This is an offer on one hand, but an expectation on the other, because we do not want young people sitting at home on benefits when there are other options available.”

Ben Harrison, director of the Work Foundation, welcomed the increased funding and enhanced work-coaching support but warned that the pressure of sanctions could push young people into unsuitable or insecure jobs, potentially causing long-term harm.