The Milburn review of youth employment will call on the British state to create and subsidise paid jobs for thousands of disabled and chronically ill young people as part of an "opportunity revolution" aimed at countering long-standing labour market exclusion.
According to the report, which is due to be published this month, the state should introduce a new category of "flexi-jobs" alongside employment subsidies and targeted skills support to make it easier for 16- to 24-year-olds with disabilities or chronic illness to enter and sustain work. The proposal is framed as a package designed to tackle structural barriers that have prevented many young people from securing stable employment.
Recommendations
The review, authored by a former cabinet minister, recommends a combination of measures: state-subsidised job places, financial incentives for employers, and intensive training and support tailored to the needs of young disabled people. The so-called flexi-jobs are intended to offer adaptable hours and duties to accommodate fluctuating health needs while providing a route into the labour market that carries both pay and on-the-job experience.
Context and aims
The proposals seek to reverse what the review describes as years of discrimination and under-participation in employment by disabled young people. By prioritising subsidised roles and wraparound support rather than relying solely on existing welfare-to-work mechanisms, the review aims to create sustained, paid opportunities that can improve long-term prospects and reduce dependency on benefits.
Next steps
The government is expected to consider the report when it is published later this month. If adopted, the recommendations would represent a significant shift in policy towards more direct state involvement in job creation for vulnerable young people, requiring new funding commitments and engagement with employers to implement the flexi-jobs model at scale.