A recent study has revealed a troubling trend among young workers in the UK: those employed in low-paid, precarious positions are more likely to leave their jobs due to health-related issues. Conducted for the Trades Union Congress (TUC) by the consultancy Timewise, the research highlights a clear connection between job quality and the alarming rates of economic inactivity among young people. As youth unemployment continues to climb, these findings may offer crucial insights into the challenges facing a generation.
The Precarious Job Landscape
The analysis focused on sectors where young individuals are predominantly employed, such as hospitality, retail, and healthcare. It found that these industries are not only characterised by low pay but also by a lack of job security. More than 40% of the workforce in accommodation and food services is engaged in insecure work arrangements, including zero-hours contracts and low-paid self-employment.
Clare McNeil, CEO of Timewise, stressed the implications of these findings, stating, “Insecure and poor-quality jobs are contributing to a rising epidemic of inactivity among the young, who have the most precarious, low-mobility jobs of all.” She emphasised the futility of expecting young people to thrive in such demanding roles, particularly when they are facing mental health challenges or disabilities.
A Closer Look at Economic Inactivity
The research delved into official data regarding transitions from employment to long-term sickness and found that the rates were highest in sectors where young people are most likely to work. Sectors such as wholesale and retail, food and accommodation, and health and social care were identified as the primary contributors to the rising numbers of young people falling into economic inactivity due to health issues.
The report indicated that specific roles, including hospital porters, kitchen staff, and leisure attendants, are particularly vulnerable to long-term health-related absences. This correlation underscores the need for a government-led review into youth inactivity, which is set to be conducted by the former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn. The review is anticipated to focus on the quality of jobs as much as the quantity available.
Government Response and Future Prospects
Recent statistics reveal that approximately 957,000 individuals aged 16-24 were classified as not in employment, education, or training (NEET) in the last quarter of 2025—accounting for 13% of the total youth population. Alarmingly, nearly half of this group reported experiencing health issues or disabilities.
In response to the growing crisis, the work and pensions secretary, Pat McFadden, has announced a £1 billion initiative aimed at reducing youth unemployment. This programme will incentivise employers with £3,000 for hiring young people who have been out of work for six months or more. Meanwhile, Alan Milburn’s forthcoming report is expected to address the urgent need for sustainable solutions to youth inactivity.
Concerns about the future of young people have also been echoed by Milburn, who noted a generational shift in expectations. “There’s a broader fear that parents and grandparents have, that their kids are not going to do as well as we’ve done,” he remarked. This sentiment highlights a growing anxiety that the social contract of upward mobility across generations is being eroded.
The Importance of Job Quality
Paul Nowak, TUC’s Secretary General, emphasised the critical link between job quality and economic inactivity. He argued that the implementation of the forthcoming Employment Rights Act is essential to ensure young people are offered secure jobs with reasonable prospects. “Young people need good secure jobs with decent prospects,” he stated. “Too often they’re stuck in insecure, low-paid work which leaves them at greater risk of dropping out of the workforce due to ill health.”
Certain provisions of the Employment Rights Act, including statutory sick pay and parental leave from day one, are set to come into effect soon. However, other aspects, such as reasonable notice of shift patterns, will not be implemented until 2027. The delay raises concerns about the immediate welfare of young workers in precarious roles.
Industry leaders have also weighed in on the situation. Kate Nicholls, chair of UKHospitality, highlighted the industry’s potential to provide fulfilling employment opportunities for young people, while Helen Dickinson, CEO of the British Retail Consortium, cautioned against policies that might inadvertently undermine job flexibility. Both agree on the necessity of maintaining a balance between job security and the need for entry-level opportunities.
Why it Matters
The findings of this research signal an urgent call to action for policymakers and industry leaders alike. As young people grapple with the dual challenges of health issues and economic insecurity, it is vital that comprehensive strategies are developed to improve job quality across sectors. The future of a generation hangs in the balance, and the time for meaningful change is now. Ensuring that young workers are provided with secure, well-paying jobs is not just a matter of economic necessity; it is a moral imperative that can shape the trajectory of society for years to come.
