A major review into the UK's youth jobs crisis has concluded that internships for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are a crucial part of the solution. The review, led by former Labour health secretary Alan Milburn, warns that without urgent government action, a generation of young people could be left behind.
Milburn Review Highlights Internship Benefits
The review, published on Tuesday, found that supported internships – which combine classroom learning with on-the-job training – have a high success rate in helping young people with SEND move into paid employment. However, take-up remains low, with only around 2,000 young people starting such internships each year across England.
Milburn said: "These internships are a proven route into work for young people with special educational needs, yet far too few are taking them up. The government must act now to expand access and ensure no young person is left without a pathway to a job."
Youth Unemployment Crisis Deepens
The review comes as official figures show youth unemployment has risen to its highest level in over a decade, with more than 600,000 young people aged 16-24 out of work. The situation is particularly acute for those with SEND, who are more than twice as likely to be unemployed as their peers.
Milburn's review calls for a national expansion of supported internships, with a target of 10,000 places per year by 2030. It also recommends that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the Department for Education (DfE) work together to simplify the funding process for employers.
Employer Engagement and Funding
The review highlights that many employers are willing to offer internships but are deterred by complex paperwork and lack of support. It recommends a single point of contact for businesses and a dedicated fund to help cover the cost of job coaches and workplace adjustments.
One case study in the report features a young man with autism who, after completing a supported internship at a London bank, was offered a permanent contract. His story is cited as evidence of what can be achieved with the right support.
Political Reaction and Next Steps
The government has said it will consider the review's recommendations. A spokesperson for the Department for Education said: "We are committed to helping every young person reach their full potential, and we will study the review's findings closely."
Charities and campaign groups have welcomed the report, urging ministers to move quickly. The review is expected to feed into the government's upcoming youth employment strategy, due to be published later this year.
