Labour pays DJ to plug jobs website as youth unemployment hits record | Politics | News
Jordan North and William Hanson were paid to add DWP job search site to podcast (Image: Getty)
As youth unemployment reaches record levels, Labor has been criticized for splashing taxpayers’ money on celebrity podcast ads to promote its jobs help website. Radio 1 DJ Jordan North and etiquette expert William Hanson have been paid to share the Department for Work and Pensions’ job search tips on their podcast I Text My Boss for Sex.
The pair told listeners “there is support” and directed young people to the DWP’s job help website for “tips to improve your job search” and “access to government support”. But angry critics branded the move a waste of money and demanded Labor make it easier for businesses to hire workers rather than paying for “expensive celebrity podcast ads”.
Conservative Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: “Labour’s growth strategy is a myth. With employment falling across the country and youth employment reaching record levels, the Government thinks the solution is to advertise job advice on podcasts.”
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He added: “Every Labor government has left unemployment higher than they found it and this is no different. We need serious solutions and we’re never getting them.”
Youth unemployment in the UK recently reached 16.1 per cent; That’s the highest level in more than a decade and even higher than the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ms Whately warned: “Britain cannot thrive with a Government that taxes work and stifles business.
“Labor taxes have increased by £60 billion, pushing the tax burden to a record level. Higher taxes are squeezing businesses, squeezed businesses are stopping hiring, and rising unemployment is further weakening the economy.
“Only the Conservatives offer a serious alternative that supports work, rewards ambition and gets Britain working again.”
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Youth unemployment reached 16.1 percent, the highest level in the last 11 years (Image: Getty)
Institute of Economic Affairs communications director Callum Price said: “It’s true the DWP is trying to get people back to work, but instead of wasting taxpayers’ money on expensive celebrity podcast adverts, the Government should make it easier, cheaper and less risky for businesses to employ people, or at least stop making it harder and more expensive.
“This would be a more effective and cheaper way to put people to work and grow the economy.”
“It’s very difficult for young people when it comes to the job market,” North said on the podcast.
Hanson added that “there are many reasons why job searching can be anxiety-provoking.”
A DWP spokesperson defended the campaign and said: “Tackling youth unemployment is a priority for this Government and it is vital that we inform young people about the support available to them using the channels they use and trust.”
They added: “We are providing this support through investment of £1.5bn, enabling businesses to employ young people by fully funding apprenticeships for SMEs, creating an additional 50,000 apprenticeships in priority growth sectors and introducing our Youth Guarantee so every young person has the chance to earn or learn.
“And former health secretary Alan Milburn is leading a major review into the barriers to young people finding work.”
