Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) are set to benefit from 100,000 paid jobs in hospitality under a major new partnership announced on 15 October 2026.
The Government has partnered with UKHospitality to create paid employment, work experience and training opportunities for 18 to 24-year-olds.
Some of Britain’s biggest hospitality employers have signed up, including Whitbread, McDonald’s, Nando’s, Marriott, Compass, Burger King, Parkdean Resorts, Haven, Fuller’s, Merlin Entertainments, Stonegate Group, Mitchells & Butlers, Wagamama, Sodexo, WSH Limited and De Vere.
The sector is one of the biggest employers of young people. The roles will offer skills, confidence and experience, for some the start of a long-term career, for others a chance to build their CV and discover their next step.
The commitment will deliver 100,000 paid jobs over three years.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: Hospitality has long provided young people with a route into the world of work. I’m delighted that the industry is helping unemployed young people get their first step on the ladder and build their careers.
With the UK employment rate now the second highest in the G7, this will unlock 100,000 jobs and connect young people with employers ready to take them on and help them build a brighter future.
Allen Simpson, Chief Executive of UKHospitality, said: Hospitality is the number one employer of young people in the economy, providing valuable and rewarding routes into work. This announcement demonstrates the Government’s recognition of hospitality as a critical sector to solve the NEETs crisis.
Expanding access to support for the Hospitality Skills Passport, which has already seen enormous success, is incredibly positive and will rightly form a significant pillar of our work together.
The hospitality deal follows a similar announcement last month of 100,000 jobs in the retail sector, developed with support from former M&S chief executive Marc Bolland, who is convening employers to help the one million young people currently NEET.
The Government is also taking action to prevent young people becoming NEET in the first place. The Education Secretary is expected to launch a Call for Evidence on school exclusion reforms, aimed at stopping disengagement from education.
Ministers will seek views on strengthening support for pupils at risk of exclusion, improving reintegration after suspension, and ensuring children continue learning while temporarily out of the classroom.
Pupils who are persistently absent — absent 10% of the time or more — are 3.9 times more likely to end up NEET.
Education Secretary Lucy Powell said: Every child deserves the chance to succeed, with all of the right, joined-up wraparound support to transition into adulthood.
But absence and exclusion are too often a path to disengagement, with increased risks of becoming NEET. That’s why we want to ensure pupils who are suspended continue to learn, get the support they need, and have a clear route back into school.
