Introduce a National Strategy to Tackle Rising Graduate Unemployment.

Rejected 10 signatures

What the petition asks

Introduce a national strategy to support graduates into employment, including funded entry-level roles, incentives for employers to recruit recent graduates, regulation of unpaid internships, and expanded access to high-quality careers support and training.

Youth unemployment is rising, with ONS data showing 16–24 unemployment at 16.1% nationally and 22.5% in London, compared to 5.1% overall. Graduates face increasing barriers, with many roles requiring degrees, 2+ years’ experience, and advanced skills, paying around £29,000, alongside hundreds of rejections and AI automated hiring. This mismatch, combined with rising living costs, is locking graduates out of stable work and risks long-term economic and social consequences.

Why it was rejected

The UK Government or Parliament was already taking the action it asked for.

The Government has recently published a "youth employment drive" which includes new apprenticeships, financial incentives for employers and careers support and training. We're therefore not exactly sure what further action you'd like to see.

You could start a new petition calling for something different than what the Government has announced. You can find out more about the Government's announcement here: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/major-employment-drive-to-help-unlock-200000-new-jobs-and-apprenticeships-for-next-generation

You may also wish to sign this petition:

Fund support for UK companies to create more internships & jobs for young people: Fund support for UK companies to create more internships & jobs for young people

Timeline

27 Mar 2026	Petition opened for signatures
24 Apr 2026	Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 10

Status Rejected

Rejected 24 Apr 2026

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