80 New Youth Hubs To Boost Jobs For Young People In The UK

Young people across the UK are set to benefit from expanded employment support as the Government confirms plans to roll out 80 new Youth Hubs nationwide.

The expansion, led by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), will see new locations launched across England, Scotland and Wales, with the aim of bringing tailored jobs support directly into local communities.

Youth Hubs are designed to support 16 to 24-year-olds, bringing together Jobcentre Plus, local authorities, employers and training providers under one roof.

The centres will provide access to a wide range of services, including job search support, skills training, careers advice, mental health services and housing guidance, as well as direct links to employers offering live vacancies and apprenticeships in the UK.

As part of the latest rollout, the Scottish Professional Football League Trust will partner with the DWP to deliver Youth Hubs across Scotland. The move builds on existing partnerships in England, where organisations such as the Premier League are already working with the Government to support young people into work.

The expansion is part of a wider ambition to ensure every local area across Great Britain has access to a Youth Hub, creating a national network of support. The initiative is aimed at tackling the growing number of young people not in education, employment or training, which has risen to nearly one million - an increase of 248,000 in the three years to the end of 2024.

To mark the announcement, the Work and Pensions Secretary opened Scotland’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. The event brought together more than 2,400 young jobseekers with major employers including Barclays, British Army, HSBC, Royal Air Force, Police Scotland and Scottish Power.

The Government said each new Youth Hub will meet a set of minimum standards, ensuring young people can access consistent, high-quality support regardless of location.

In total, Youth Hubs are expected to expand to more than 360 locations over the next three years, including areas such as Manchester, Salford, Dundee and Newport. There are already 112 hubs open across 88 local authorities.

The announcement forms part of a broader £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee, aimed at improving access to jobs, training and apprenticeships for young people.

Measures include a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers hiring 18 to 24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for six months, alongside expanded apprenticeship opportunities and new training routes in key sectors.

The Government said the combined package of support is expected to create around 200,000 jobs and apprenticeship opportunities, helping more young people move into work or education.

Officials added that the expansion of Youth Hubs reflects a shift towards more localised and personalised employment support, with programmes designed to meet the specific needs of different communities and labour markets.

Announcing the opportunities, Pat McFadden, the UK’s Work and Pensions Secretary, said: “Today marks a major boost for young people with 80 new Youth Hubs and Scotland’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair driving opportunity. We are delivering support in every region, connecting young people with employers and meeting them where they are so they can move into work, as we reform the welfare state into a working state.”

“This is about breaking down barriers, opening doors and ensuring every young person can earn or learn, wherever they live,” added the MP."

Chief Executive of the SPFL Trust, Nicky Reid, also commented, saying: “We’re extremely proud to have been chosen to deliver these vital Youth Hubs in partnership with the DWP across the country. Football clubs and their associated community trusts are places where many young people feel a strong sense of connection, making them a natural fit for this programme.”

“These initiatives will play a crucial role in helping participants access the training and support they need to take the next step in their careers or education.”