Updated · Scottish Grocer and Convenience Retailer · Jun 23
80 Retail Leaders Warn UK Policies Threaten 1 Million Youths' Path to Work
Updated
Updated · Scottish Grocer and Convenience Retailer · Jun 23
80 Retail Leaders Warn UK Policies Threaten 1 Million Youths' Path to Work
1 articles · Updated · Scottish Grocer and Convenience Retailer · Jun 23
Summary
More than 80 retail leaders urged Prime Minister Keir Starmer to cut costs they say are making it harder to hire young people, warning entry-level jobs are being squeezed.
Upcoming Employment Rights Act changes — including statutory sick pay reforms and guaranteed-hours rules — have alarmed convenience retailers, who say tighter rules could reduce flexible first jobs.
Pete Cheema of the Scottish Grocers’ Federation said more than 1 million young people are already disconnected from both work and formal education, deepening concern over youth unemployment.
Retail and its supply chain account for almost a quarter of youth employment, the British Retail Consortium said, arguing taxes and red tape are pricing employers out of offering first jobs.