Milton Keynes Council is working on a number of projects and partnerships to help young people back into work, as part of their forward-thinking £3m Economic Recovery Plan. 

Though the number of claimants in Milton Keynes went down between April and May 2021, younger residents unfortunately experience higher rates of unemployment.

However, Milton Keynes Council’s Progressive Alliance is investing over £3m in supporting businesses and people in MK through its Economic Recovery Plan, which sets out how our city will have a fair and prosperous economic recovery from the pandemic.

MK Council is working with partners to use this funding to provide practical support to those in MK impacted hardest by the pandemic, and already the Progressive Alliance led Council has supported over 1,000 young people through a range of projects.

The Council is funding ‘New Futures: MK’, a scheme that aims to increase employment opportunities for MK residents aged 16+, with an investment of £650,000. There’s also £25,000 for WorkTree, a local charity that gives secondary school pupils real life insights into different careers, and £60,000 for a green roof installation where young, unemployed individuals will be given training and development opportunities.

Councillor Robin Bradburn, Liberal Democrat Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for Economy, Recovery and Renewal, said: “As of April 2021, there are around 13,000 employments on furlough in Milton Keynes. We need to have help in place for when furlough comes to an end, and our Economic Recovery Plan provides this.”

Councillor Rob Middleton, Labour Progressive Alliance Cabinet Member for Resources, added: “Our recovery from COVID-19 needs to be fair, green and prosperous. For this to happen, our unemployed residents, particularly young people, need our support.”