Maureen Burke

Maureen Burke

Labour — Glasgow North East

Speaking in the House of Commons on 12 October 2026

Debate

Employment Support: Young People

Contribution

The Prime Minister hit the nail on the head when he said that too many young people have been failed by a schools system that focused too much “on the university route, and not enough on technical education.” It is not surprising that the number of young people on benefits has grown so significantly when the education system has failed to equip them with the skills they need for today’s jobs market. When I speak to unemployed young people in my constituency, they tell me that they are desperate to find work not just for the pay, but for a sense of purpose and the independence to shape their own future. The choice before us is clear: invest in young people’s success or create a lifetime of dependency, carrying a huge price for the taxpayer. Does the Secretary of State agree with me that we need to invest in young people’s success rather than leave them to languish on benefits?

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