Asda and M&S back new Youth Contract
Asda and Marks & Spencer have pledged to provide jobs for thousands of young unemployed people as part of a government-backed Youth Contract.
The new scheme, headed by deputy prime minister Nick Clegg, aims to find at least 410,000 jobs for out-of-work 18 to 24-year-olds. The government hopes wage subsidies worth £2,275 will encourage employers to create 160,000 such positions.
The programme will also create work experience places - and £50m will be spent on helping 16 and 17-year-olds into training.
Asda and Marks & Spencer took part in round-table talks with the deputy PM last week, alongside companies such as Waitrose owner John Lewis and BT.
Marks & Spencer told The Grocer it planned to work on ways it could expand its Marks & Start scheme, which works with charities including the Prince’s Trust. The scheme already provides around 700 placements a year and 40% of participants go on to find full-time work.
“The Contract will make sure every unemployed young person starts earning or learning,” said Clegg. “But we need businesses to play their part. That’s why the support of the Confederation of British Industry, British Chambers of Commerce, British Retail Consortium and the Federation of Small Businesses is such good news.”
The retailers’ involvement follows the pledge by government and suppliers - revealed by The Grocer in November - to guarantee hundreds of jobs for UK nationals and reduce the industry’s reliance on migrant workers.
