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Retail chiefs from major supermarkets and clothing chains, including Tesco and M&S, are reportedly backing a British Retail Consortium (BRC) letter to PM Keir Starmer, according to Sky News who saw a draft of the letter.
The move followed a recent report by former cabinet minister Alan Milburn on the growing number of young people out of work or education.
In light of this, the retail lobby group has expressed the need for a joint taskforce created to streamline regional and national employment support. It also requested a reduction in employment costs to encourage more entry-level recruitment.
According to the BRC, retail accounts for nearly 25% of all youth employment, with three million total workers across the country.
However, tensions remain high between the government and grocery firms after ministers recently shelved controversial proposals to cap basic food prices following a sector backlash.
The BRC’s draft letter stated: “We share the government’s ambition to reduce youth unemployment and expand opportunity. Retail has always been where any young person can start with few qualifications, limited experience and build a lasting career either in the industry or outside with the skills they obtain. This matters to us, particularly as many of us started on the shop floor, and it is central to our purpose and to how our businesses grow and compete.
“As leading employers, we are concerned the ladder of opportunity for young people is wobbling. It’s more expensive than ever to bring in young talent, and new Employment Rights Act changes are making managing our workforce more complicated when we need it to be simpler. This is putting pressure on employers’ ability to drive social mobility.”
The BRC has been approached for comment.
