The Dutch have a plan for our young jobless. It’s called ‘no dead ends’. And Whitehall is watching closely.
Youth unemployment is a lingering wound. Labour’s big promise was to ‘get Britain working again’. But the numbers tell a different story. Over 900,000 young people are NEET – not in education, employment or training. That’s a ticking time bomb.
Now enter the Dutch. Their system is simple. You don’t let anyone under 27 fall through the cracks. Every dropout gets a coach. Every job seeker has a tailored pathway. And there are no ‘dead ends’ – if one route fails, you pivot to another.
I’ve been speaking to officials in the Department for Work and Pensions. They are quietly impressed. One senior source told me: “The Dutch approach is pragmatic. It’s not about ideology. It’s about keeping people moving.”
But here’s the rub. It costs money. The Dutch spend more per head on active labour market policies. And it requires a level of bureaucratic coordination that British governments have historically struggled with. Multiple agencies, local councils, and training providers need to sing from the same hymn sheet.
Westminster insiders say Rachel Reeves is intrigued. The Treasury is always looking for cost-effective interventions. And youth unemployment is expensive down the line – in benefits, crime, and lost productivity.
Yet there are sceptics. Some Labour backbenchers worry this is a backdoor to workfare. Compulsory training? Sanctions for non-compliance? The Dutch model has teeth. You can’t just say no.
Still, the political winds are shifting. The Conservatives are circling on youth unemployment. They smell a weakness. Labour needs a win. The Dutch ‘no dead ends’ model could be that win. But only if the Treasury signs the cheque.
Watch this space. The game is moving.
