BBC News | Next boss warns of 'dramatic' fall in entry-level jobs
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Lord Wolfson, the chief executive of Next, warned that entry‑level job opportunities in the UK are collapsing, noting that applicants per shop vacancy have risen from ten to nineteen in just two years – a clear sign of a youth‑unemployment crisis now at a 16.2% rate for 16‑ to‑24‑year‑olds, three times the overall unemployment figure. He blamed upcoming legislation that bans zero‑hour contracts, higher National Insurance contributions and rising minimum wages for making hiring harder, and urged the government to focus on broader economic growth measures such as reforming planning laws, energy policy and transport networks rather than solely targeting youth unemployment. The government defended its policies, citing a £2.5 billion youth‑employment support package and higher pay for young workers, while Next itself has cut in‑store staff, expanded automation, and boosted its online business, lifting full‑year profit expectations to £1.2 billion. Wolfson stressed that profitability is essential for the retailer’s survival, rejected claims that the company favours shareholders over workers, and warned that new guaranteed‑hours rules could further restrict staffing flexibility, especially for seasonal and student workers.
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