URL: https://moderngov.stoke.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=24498

Decision Maker:

Outcome: Recommendations Approved

Is Key Decision?: No

Is Callable In?: No

Purpose:

Content: In a change from the published agenda, the following motion was moved by Councillor Jellyman and seconded by Councillor Edwards: UK Youth Unemployment This Council condemns the Labour government for overseeing UK youth unemployment hit 16.1 per cent, placing the UK as having the highest youth unemployment rate in Europe. Councillor Colclough moved and Councillor Davison seconded an amendment to the motion as set out below: DELETE: “condemns the Labour government for overseeing” REPLACE WITH: “notes the inaccurate motion proposed by Reform Councillors that” ADD: This Council further notes: that this motion is based on inaccuracies, repeating a false claim made by Conservative Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott MP on 22 February 2025 on the BBC’s Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme, and subsequently repeated on X. This claim has been debunked, including by independent fact-checking organisation Full Fact. Eurostat data for European countries shows higher youth unemployment rates in Spain (23.5%), France (20.9%), Italy (18.9%), Luxembourg (19.7%), Portugal (18.2%), Finland (22.3%) and Sweden (22%), and therefore the original claim is incorrect. The impact of COVID-19 on young people’s mental health, with rising need since 2013, alongside a £60,000 reduction to this city’s CAMHS budget under the Council’s previous Conservative administration. This Council notes that while Labour has a plan to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEETs), Reform UK proposes to reduce the minimum wage for younger workers and limit access to university, and has voted against the Employment Rights Act, which is the biggest uplift to workers’ rights in a generation. Council further notes the record of the previous Administration in the city which: sent back to Westminster 45% of apprenticeship levy valued at almost £1m which was meant to be spent on training people in the city: neglected NEETS. The table below shows the dramatic reduction in the number of NEETS since 2024 - the new Administrations first full year in office. Year Stoke 16-18 NEET Total NEET + Not Known West Midlands Total National Total Nov 2021 10.5% 5% 4.7% Nov 2022 22.1% 13.3% 8.2% Nov 2023 48.2%* 6.2% 6.3% Nov 2024 16.5% 11.9% 15% Nov 2025 5.5% 5.3% 5.6% 2026 (Jan) 5.3% 5.6% 5.7% In 2022 the previous Administration closed the Neet support team and the council stopped keeping on top of young people’s progress. This led to 48% NEET figure which it took the incoming administration several months to rectify This Council resolves to: • Work with local employers, colleges and training providers to maximise take-   up of the Government’s employment and apprenticeship support schemes; • Promote awareness of these opportunities to young people across Stoke-on-   Trent; • Ensure that young people in Stoke-on-Trent benefit fully from these   measures and are supported into education, employment and training. As the proposer of the original motion, Councillor Jellyman was asked if he would accept the amendment as a friendly amendment which he refused. Following a debate, and on being put to the vote, the amendment received the majority support of the Council. Following a further debate, Councillor Jellyman exercised his right of reply following which, the amended motion was put to the vote, and it was:-      

Date of Decision: March 26, 2026