British Businesses Struggle to Hire Young Workers

0:00A March 11th, British businesses are finding it tough to hire young workers amid sharp rises and labor costs, like higher minimum wages and employer, national insurance contributions. These pressures have squeezed profit margins and push youth to the end of recruitment lines according to major business groups. Meanwhile, the New Employment Rights Act could make things worse by making employers hesitant to take chances on those with limited skills or experience. The British Chambers of Commerce predicts unemployment will climb to 5.5% this year, with young people bearing the brunt. Business leaders report that firms are desperate to grow, but costs are holding them back. A Federation of Small Businesses survey showed 26% of companies hired fewer staff in late last year. The worst drop-in over a decade. Surveys also reveal companies now favor recruits with strong skills and steady work histories, sidelineing young applicants. This comes as lawmakers probe why nearly 1 million 16 to 24-year-olds are neither in

1:01school, employed, nor training. Government reviews highlight a deeper crisis, with fears that younger generations face dimmer job and home ownership prospects than before, breaking. Long-held expectations of progress.