PM remarks at the King’s Trust Centre: 15 October 2026
Prime Minister Andy Burnham praises the King’s Trust Centre in Manchester for transforming young lives and calls for renewed support amid growing challenges for youth employment and education.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham delivered a message from King Charles III at the King’s Trust Centre in Manchester, expressing the monarch’s appreciation for the work supporting young people in Ancoats. Burnham, who helped establish the centre, described its impact as life-changing and emphasised the growing difficulties young people face in securing their first job or career step. He recounted his own early struggles, including unpaid work and repeated rejections, to illustrate the challenges of entering the workforce today.
Burnham highlighted the evolving job market, noting the shift from in-person interviews to AI and screen-based assessments, which he described as less effective for young applicants. He shared his personal experience of returning from university in the early 1990s without opportunities, underscoring the emotional toll of prolonged job searches. The Prime Minister stressed the importance of recognising young people’s resilience and potential, urging collective support to help them overcome barriers.
Reflecting on systemic changes since the late 2000s, Burnham criticised the reduction of youth services, school support cuts, and delays in mental health access, which he argued disproportionately affected young people. He called for faster mental health interventions and a more balanced education system that values both academic and technical pathways. Burnham criticised the overemphasis on university routes without viable alternatives, which he said left many young people without clear career options.
Addressing the current state of youth employment, Burnham cited figures indicating nearly a million young people in the UK are not in education, employment, or training. He rejected blaming young people for this situation, echoing his past stance as Mayor of Greater Manchester. The Prime Minister pledged to lead efforts across government to create opportunities, urging ministers and departments to prioritise support for young people to build the future they envision.