Labour to expand youth work experience and training schemes

‘For every £25 spent keeping young people on benefits, we spend only £1 helping them get into work through employment support,’ said Alan Milburn. Photograph: Andrew Sparkes/Alamy

Ministers are expanding youth work-experience and training schemes, after Alan Milburn warned Britain is spending £25 keeping young people on benefits for every £1 spent helping them into work.

Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, will announce plans for 300,000 extra work experience placements over the next three years as the government attempts to tackle what the minister described as a “quiet crisis” in youth employment.