A further troubling rise means there are now 1.2 million 16-24 year olds not in work or full-time education. The employment rate of 18-24 year olds not in full-time education has been falling for over two years. This is storing up trouble and risks long-term damage to their career prospects and the economy. The upcoming Get Britain Working White Paper needs to show how the planned Youth Guarantee will be implemented so all young people are offered a job, apprenticeship or training place.

This month's release of labour market data shows that differences in the employment rate between those from a white background and people from other ethnic groups continue to persist. Likewise, people with a disability are far less likely to be in employment than those without long-term health problems which limit their day-to-day activities. In the July to September quarter of 2024 only just over half of all disabled people of working age were employed (54.4%) compared with 81.9% of those without a disability. Ensuring that everyone has the support they need to find and sustain employment, irrespective of ethnicity or disability, is vital if the government is to achieve its ambition of an 80% employment rate.