Unemployed young people to face ‘tough love’ under Tory policies to tackle Neets

The Conservatives have said people who are fit to work and aged under 25 will be unable to claim benefits if they have not worked continuously for six months.

In the run-up to its party conference in Birmingham which begins on Sunday, it characterised its plans as “tough love” for unemployed people aged 16-24.

It will replace universal credit with another benefit, a “Get to Work allowance”, for the age group.

It means that school or education leavers who do not have a job will be offered support through the Get to Work scheme, and will only be able to claim money if they take part in it.

They will have to attend job centres on a daily basis, and take part in work experience placements, training courses or community work schemes through local councils.

They will also have to take part in job searches and application workshops. Interview preparation sessions will be provided.

The party said the plans will complement the party’s wider welfare and tax reforms.

It comes as the Government is trying to cut down on the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet). The figure currently stands at about one million.

Former Cabinet minister Alan Milburn was commissioned by former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to carry out a review into youth unemployment.

He will make recommendations later this year on the issue but said work should start being introduced to children from primary school.

Mr Milburn told the BBC the process should be “about opening their eyes and giving them a sense about what is possible”.

“It’d be good if employers came into schools and said, ‘Look, this is what’s going on, these are things that are possible’,” he said.

Work experience “needs to be mandatory” and organised for pupils aged 14-16, rather than relying “on the network of Mum and Dad”, he added.

The shadow work and pensions secretary, Helen Whately, said: “A million young people are not in education, employment or training (Neet).

“The UK Neet rate is worse than Greece’s. Labour have killed 300,000 jobs with their jobs tax and employment red tape and young people have paid the price.

“Too many young people are leaving school and signing straight onto benefits. This is a waste of their potential and a disaster for our economy.

“Our Get to Work scheme will break this toxic cycle. If you don’t take part, you won’t get welfare.

“Sometimes you have to show some tough love. The Conservatives are the only party that will do it. We have a serious plan to get unemployed young people into work, cut the welfare bill and grow the economy.”

Published: 01/10/2026 by Radio NewsHub