Over 700,000 university graduates are now out of work and claiming benefits, according to new analysis.
Research by the Centre for Social Justice think-tank found around 400,000 graduates are currently out of work and claiming Universal Credit, while 110,000 graduates under the age of 30 were found to be claiming at least one benefit and not in work.
Almost 240,000 of the 700,000 jobless graduates claiming benefits said they were off work due to sickness.
The total number of graduates out of work and on benefits has increased by 46% since 2019, while graduates off work due to sickness and claiming benefits has more than doubled over the same period (rising by 105%).
CSJ, founded by Sor Ian Duncan Smith, found for every three British young people opting for a university course, just one receives vocational training. By contrast, in the Netherlands this ratio is two-to-one, and in Germany it is one-to-one.
Meanwhile, under-19 apprenticeships starts have fallen by 40% since 2014-15. And, CSJ believes this new research raises fresh questions about Britain’s long-standing assumption that university should be the default route for young people.
