Street League welcomes government report on young people & work
Street League welcomes the UK Government's interim Young People and Work: Diagnostic Report
Its findings reflect what we see every day: young people are motivated to work and progress, but often face multiple barriers that make this challenging.
Our experience shows that lasting outcomes are most likely when employability support combines personal development, work-readiness training, employer engagement and ongoing progression support.
The report highlights 8 key findings which we believe are crucial to understand on the path to finding a solution to youth unemployment. Street League's responses are set out below.
Economic inactivity is now a bigger challenge than unemployment
Last year, Street League supported 1,721 economically inactive young people, representing 46% of all participants. Many need support to rebuild routine, confidence and engagement before moving into work, education or training. Effective employability support must create space for re-engagement as well as progression.
Young people face multiple overlapping barriers
Street League participants face an average of 3.26 barriers to employment, education or training. Poor mental health, low confidence, financial hardship and limited qualifications often reinforce one another. This highlights the need for personalised, holistic support.
Confidence, trust and belonging matter alongside qualifications
Many young people arrive with low confidence and limited trust in services. Through personal development activities, group work and employer engagement, we help build confidence and self-belief. Last year, 732 participants reported increased confidence, a key foundation for successful progression.
Work readiness is as important as formal learning
Qualifications matter, but they are only part of the picture. Last year, 877 participants (24%) reported having no qualifications, while Street League delivered 1,129 qualifications. Alongside accredited learning, we focus on workplace skills, confidence and readiness to help young people sustain positive outcomes. Where possible, Street League always look to expose young people to the workplace of their choice through either work experience, taster days or meetings with other employees.
Entry routes into employment have narrowed
Access to employment opportunities remains a challenge for many young people. Last year, Street League worked with 700+ employers across 16 sectors, supporting 1,305 job outcomes and over 4,300 employment outcomes in the last five years. Strong employer partnerships are critical to creating accessible routes into work.
Sustained outcomes matter more than short-term activity
Success should be measured by long-term progression, not just initial engagement. Street League achieved a 68% sustainment rate, with 1,438 young people remaining in employment, education or training six months after programme completion. Independent analysis by the DWP Data Lab has also verified our long-term impact.
Young people's voices should shape employability support
Young people are more than service users; they should help shape the support they receive. Street League's Youth Board informs governance, programme design and service development, ensuring lived experience directly influences delivery. Services are stronger when young people's voices are embedded throughout.
Local partnerships are essential for successful progression
Effective support relies on strong local partnerships. Last year, 1,936 young people (52%) were referred through Jobcentres, local authorities, schools, colleges and social work services. Collaborative local networks improve access, reduce duplication and create clearer pathways into employment, education and training.
In conclusion
The report reinforces what Street League sees every day: young people want to work, learn and contribute, but many face multiple and interconnected barriers. Our evidence shows that sustainable outcomes are most likely when support combines personal development, work readiness, employer engagement and long-term progression support. We remain committed to working with partners across sectors to help more young people move into sustainable employment, education and training.