Milburn warns of ‘shameful’ failings trapping young people on benefits
Former health secretary Alan Milburn criticized the state for failing young people by trapping them in a cycle of benefits. He highlighted that the government spends significantly more on welfare than on employment support for youth. Milburn also pointed to the negative impact of social media on young people's mental health and job readiness.
- ▪Alan Milburn stated that the state spends 25 times more on welfare for young people than on measures to help them find jobs.
- ▪He described the current situation as a failure of the welfare, school, skills, and health systems.
- ▪Milburn emphasized that young people are not 'snowflakes' but part of a 'bedroom generation' affected by social media.
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NewsUKUK PoliticsMilburn warns of ‘shameful’ failings trapping young people on benefitsThe former health secretary warned the situation led to ‘incalculable costs for their life chances’.David Hughes Saturday 23 May 2026 13:46 BSTBookmarkBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popover{"translations":{"comments":"Go to comments","share":"Share","copyLink":"Copy link","bookmark":"Bookmark","removeBookmark":"Remove bookmark"},"showComments":false,"showBookmark":true,"articleId":"1b36975e-5650-4996-85b7-59fa5db6809e","articleMeta":{"url":"https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/alan-milburn-employers-laura-kuenssberg-people-office-for-national-statistics-b2982462.html","title":"Milburn warns of ‘shameful’ failings trapping young people on benefits"}}Former health secretary Alan…
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