Stuart Anderson MP said:
"An extra 40,000 young people are unemployed on Labour’s watch. This means that one in eight young people are without an opportunity to earn or learn, with businesses feeling the squeeze due to Labour’s tax rises. This is unacceptable. In October 2025, there were 1,165 people claiming unemployment-related benefits in South Shropshire, which was 2.2% of the population aged 16-64 and is up by 30 compared to last year. This includes 215 claimants aged 16-64, which is also up by 35 claimants since the General Election. I want to see this worrying trend affecting rural communities like ours changed for the better. I want to ensure every young person in South Shropshire has access to high-quality education, training, and employment opportunities that will enable them to excel in life."
Local Youth Services
I am delighted that Shropshire Council has been equipped with over £620,000 to transform its work with young people. This builds on initial government investment in July for Shropshire Council to review and improve its local offer to young people. I launched my campaign in March 2025, when I called on young people to take part in a national listening exercise to inform a new youth strategy. In Parliament, I urged Ministers to promote the national youth strategy in rural areas. Shropshire was subsequently named as one of twelve councils to take part in a peer review programme. This provided local authorities with the opportunity to access an expert review of their offer. As part of the review, Shropshire Council invited the county's young people to take part in a survey. The survey assisted a comprehensive review of youth provision and young people's needs in Shropshire. It is part of an overall investment of more than £145 million in youth services, £79.4 million of which had been allocated by the previous government. In a letter to Youth Minister Stephanie Peacock, I said: "It is crucial that rural areas like my constituency of South Shropshire benefit from the new government investment." I also urged Ministers to match the last government's investment in youth services, which stood at more than £500 million.
If you are unsure about what to do and would like to discuss your options with someone, you can speak with a careers adviser. Just call 0800 100 900 or visit https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk.
Future Employment Opportunities
Stuart's employment support webpage contains lots of useful information to help young people find the range of opportunities available. It includes high-quality training and education opportunities as well as personalised careers advice.
To help you find these opportunities, visit https://jobhelp.campaign.gov.uk. You may also be interested in starting an apprenticeship which offers high-quality on and off-the-job training. You can find out more at www.apprenticeships.gov.uk.
Young people and their parents can speak to a professionally qualified careers adviser if they need advice on their next steps. The National Careers Service Exam Results Helpline can be contacted on 0800 100 900 or via their website, https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/.
Office for Qualifications (OFQUAL)
The Office for Qualifications has published guidance, including a student guide, which outlines how the process works and what students’ next steps might be, including if they are unhappy with their results. Please visit at www.gov.uk/guidance/your-results-what-next.
UCAS supports prospective students of all ages to explore their options through the personalised UCAS Hub, which provides detailed, interactive information about a range of post-secondary pathways. Undergraduate Admissions: 0371 468 0 468
The UCAS website provides extensive guidance about what to expect on the day, as well as support for wellbeing and how to use Clearing. This is offered alongside the interactive support over the phone and on the UCAS social media platforms.
The Student Loans Company processes around 1.5 million applications each year and it can take six weeks for applications to be assessed and approved. Steven Darling, Director of Customer Experience, offers advice to get ready for payments.
If you’re feeling stressed or anxious about exams and you’re aged 18 or younger, you can also call Childline for free on 0800 1111 or chat online to get support.
The Department for Education (DfE) has published nine tips for supporting your child on results day. The Department for Education’s helpline offers support if you’re unsure where to start. You can email or call them on 0800 0150 400.
