Keir Starmer's weakness ruined the lives of a million young people - this scandal must end

Keir Starmer's weakness ruined the lives of a million young people - this scandal must endBritain's benefits system is pushing young people into lives of loneliness and meaninglessness, writes David Williamson Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments ANALYSIS By David Williamson, Chief Political Commentator 13:58, Thu, May 28, 2026 Will Sir Keir Starmer's successor succeed where he has failed on tackling youth worklessness? (Image: Paul Ellis/AFP Pool Photo via AP)Whoever succeeds Sir Keir Starmer as Prime Minister must not repeat his weakness when it comes to the urgent task of getting Britons off benefits and into work. A catastrophe is unfolding among Briain’s young people as our well-intentioned welfare state fuels worklessness. window.scriptsToLoad.push({url:'https://live.primis.tech/live/liveView.php?s=118222&vp_content=plembed3a6btjknzwqh&cbuster=%%CACHEBUSTER%%&playerApiId=v118222',triggeredBy:'tcfLoaded',delay:1500,containerId:'ovp-primis',title:"Primis player",beforeLoad:()=>{window.top.addEventListener('primisPlayerInit',e=>{try{if(e.detail&&e.detail.playerApiId==="v118222"){if(window.document.getElementsByClassName('jwplayer')[0]){e.detail.float('disable')}}}catch(e){}})},}) Former Health Secretary Alan Milburn’s landmark report into young people and work warns that within five years the number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in employment, education or training could hit 1.25 million. We ignore his warning of a “lost generation” at our peril. Mr Milburn says it is a “catastrophic failing” that for an unemployed young person with a disability “taking a pathway to inactivity can offer higher income, less hassle and lower risk”. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more Subscribe Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding...