The prime minister said the scale of youth unemployment in the UK represented an "economic catastrophe" and described it as a "catastrophe and a moral failure," citing around one million young people who are currently not in work or training.
Speaking about the challenge, the prime minister highlighted the size of the cohort of young people outside employment, education or training and framed the issue as one with serious consequences for both the economy and social cohesion.
His comments underline the government's concern about the long-term implications for those young people and for the broader labour market, though he did not set out detailed new measures in his remarks. The figure of one million has become a focal point in public debate about opportunities for young people and the effectiveness of existing training and employment schemes.
The prime minister's description is likely to sharpen scrutiny of government policy on jobs, apprenticeships and skills at a time when youth employment has become a prominent political issue. Opposition parties, employers and sector groups will be watching for any follow-up announcements on how to reduce the number of young people not engaged in work or training.
Ministers and commentators have previously argued that early intervention, targeted support and stronger links between education and industry are among the options to prevent long-term disengagement, but the prime minister's remarks are likely to intensify calls for concrete action and measurable outcomes.