General · 17 February 2026
16 percent of young people cannot find work
Fresh figures from the Office for National Statistics reveal that 16.1% of citizens aged 16 to 24 cannot secure employment. Companies in retail and hospitality are reducing recruitment due to increased operating costs, while graduates face intense competition. Experts also warn that artificial intelligence is taking over basic administrative duties often assigned to junior staff members. One recent university leaver applied for more than 50 positions but received only a single face-to-face interview.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs