Young unemployed told to engage with jobs scheme or risk benefit cuts

Britain has almost 1m Neets aged 16 to 24, in what some experts have called a youth jobs crisis. Photograph: Christopher Thomond/The Guardian

Young unemployed people will be offered training or job opportunities in construction, care and hospitality as part of a UK government scheme, but could have their benefits cut if they do not take up offers.

Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, announced on Sunday that 350,000 new training or workplace opportunities would be offered to young people on universal credit, but added there would be “sanctions” for claimants who did not engage.