Dudley youth more likely to be jobless and on benefits, official data shows

A report from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) shows 8.4 percent of 16-24 year-olds in the borough were claiming either Jobseeker’s Allowance or Universal Credit with a requirement to look for work.

Across England 5.5 percent of young people are in the same category according to figures for February 2025.

Dudley Council is to collect up to £400,000 from the WMCA to tackle the problem of youth unemployment through its Trailblazer programme which will connect young people with job or training opportunities.

Dudley Council’s deputy leader, Cllr Paul Bradley, approved accepting the grants which will target young people who are not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

WMCA figures identify the St James’s and St Thomas’s wards in the council area as the highest priority for extra help.

Overall claimant count rose in both wards last year with the rate of younger claimants going up by two percent in St James’s and seven percent in St Thomas’s.

A document confirming Cllr Bradley’s decision to accept the funding said: “Dudley’s economic inactivity for young people who are out of work due to long-term sickness is significant as well as those who lack the basic skills they need to contribute to the work.

“Therefore, the investment to target and tackle the root causes why people are not working, joining up help and support based upon needs of local people and places is of paramount importance.”

Funding for the 2025/26 financial year will consist of £280,000 for grants or subsidised work experience offers, £110,000 for a youth co-ordinator and associated services and £10,000 for marketing and communication.

Across the WMCA area, which includes the seven largest West Midlands councils, 69.6 percent of the whole population is employed, 5.5 percent is unemployed and 26.1 percent are classed as economically inactive.