1 in 8 young people not in work or education, new data shows

Speaking to Newspage, Dariusz Karpowicz, Director at Doncaster-based Albion Financial Advice, said businesses are not hiring young people because costs have spiralled.

He added: "The problem is what's hiding behind it: a growing share of young people with sky-high expectations and very little to back them up. When entry-level roles cost nearly the same as hiring someone experienced, why would any business take the risk?

"Add day-one employment rights and rising minimum wages for under-25s, and you've made the youngest workers the most expensive gamble on the payroll.

"That 2.2% stuck unemployed for over six months, the worst since 2014, tells you the pipeline into work is broken. We don't need more degrees. We need more plumbers, sparks, and a serious rethink of what "career" means at 18."