UK pledges 300,000 youth placements after 'lost generation' warning

LONDON, May 29 (Reuters) - Britain ​will create additional ⁠work experience and ​training placements for young people, the government said on Friday, ​a ‌day after a review warned the country risked a "lost ⁠generation" locked out of work. The government ⁠had previously announced ​a £2.5 billion ($3.36 billion) youth employment support package unveiled earlier this year, which the government said at the time ​would ‌help create 200,000 jobs.

* The government will fund 300,000 placements including work experience and short government-funded programmes for jobseekers claiming benefits

* Placements will focus ​on sectors such as construction, health and social ‌care, and hospitality

* The initiative follows a review led by former ‌minister Alan Milburn, which warned Britain risks a "lost generation" without urgent action

* The report said the number of ​16- to 24-year-olds not in employment, education or training has ‌risen to just over 1 million, or one in eight, and could reach one in six ⁠within five years

* ⁠It highlighted a sharp decline ‌in entry-level jobs and work experience opportunities

* The report said ​public ​spending is skewed, with about 25 pounds ‌spent on benefits for every pound on employment support for young people