£800 Million Won’t Create Jobs if Businesses Are Being Priced Out Says NTRIA
08 December 2025 - Press releaseStatement from Michael Kill, CEO, Night Time Industries Association:
“The Government’s announcement of £800 million to tackle youth unemployment risks missing the point entirely if the businesses that create jobs are being priced out of existence. You cannot subsidise people into jobs that no longer exist.
As one of the biggest employers of young people, we are keen to support efforts to get young people into work. But right now, it feels like giving with one hand and taking away with the other. Across hospitality, nightlife and the wider visitor economy, businesses are facing unprecedented pressures, rising wage costs, higher taxes, increased regulatory burdens and mounting operational expenses. This has already resulted in thousands of job losses, reduced hours and business closures.
Announcing large funding pots may generate headlines, but it does not address the structural reality: when businesses are struggling to survive, they cannot hire, train or grow. Jobs are created by thriving enterprises, not government schemes.
If even a portion of this £800 million were redirected into direct business support, reducing the cost of employment, easing operational pressures and restoring commercial viability, the job opportunities for young people would follow naturally.
Until Government policy supports the survival and growth of the sectors that traditionally employ young people, there will remain a stark contradiction between political promises and economic reality.”
“The Government’s announcement of £800 million to tackle youth unemployment risks missing the point entirely if the businesses that create jobs are being priced out of existence. You cannot subsidise people into jobs that no longer exist.
As one of the biggest employers of young people, we are keen to support efforts to get young people into work. But right now, it feels like giving with one hand and taking away with the other. Across hospitality, nightlife and the wider visitor economy, businesses are facing unprecedented pressures, rising wage costs, higher taxes, increased regulatory burdens and mounting operational expenses. This has already resulted in thousands of job losses, reduced hours and business closures.
Announcing large funding pots may generate headlines, but it does not address the structural reality: when businesses are struggling to survive, they cannot hire, train or grow. Jobs are created by thriving enterprises, not government schemes.
If even a portion of this £800 million were redirected into direct business support, reducing the cost of employment, easing operational pressures and restoring commercial viability, the job opportunities for young people would follow naturally.
Until Government policy supports the survival and growth of the sectors that traditionally employ young people, there will remain a stark contradiction between political promises and economic reality.”
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