Thursday December 5, 2024
Mogadishu (HOL) — The British government’s plan to slash welfare benefits for unemployed young people has sent ripples of concern through immigrant communities, mainly Somalis, who already grapple with systemic challenges. The policy, championed as a “Youth Guarantee,” aims to force accountability onto the shoulders of young adults while tackling unemployment. But for some, the consequences could be devastating.
The new measures, set to target 18 to 21-year-olds, will cut benefits for those who refuse to take up job offers, training schemes, or educational opportunities. Liz Kendall, Secretary of Work and Pensions, defended the move, stating, “This is about creating opportunities and demanding responsibility in return.”
According to government statistics, nearly one million young people in Britain did not have education, employment, or training between July and September. The pandemic left a staggering legacy, with unemployment climbing to 9.3 million—a number swollen by health-related absences, surging by 500,000 since 2019.
Kendall pointed to mental health as a key factor driving the rise in welfare claims. “We’re facing a mental health crisis that’s affecting countless lives across the UK,” she said. Yet critics argue that the policy fails to address the root causes of youth unemployment, especially for marginalized groups.
For Britain’s Somali diaspora, the welfare cuts are a harsh blow. Many Somali youths already face barriers ranging from limited job prospects to incarceration. The policy could widen these cracks, leaving families with even greater burdens.
A Somali youth advocate, Maryan Ahmed Jama, fears the policy will disproportionately harm her community. “Young Somalis already face so many challenges,” she said. “This decision could strip them of vital lifelines, making it harder to break free from cycles of poverty.”
Maryan calls for greater solidarity within the Somali community. “We need stronger family networks and support systems to help our youth thrive, like what we see in other communities, such as the Pakistani diaspora.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has touted the reforms as a way to crack down on “welfare cheats” and redirect resources to those in genuine need. Writing in the Mail on Sunday, Starmer vowed to restore fairness to a system he says is riddled with exploitation.
But critics, including opposition figures like Shadow Housing Secretary Kevin Hollinrake, warn against empty rhetoric. “Reforms are necessary, but they must be done with care and not at the expense of vulnerable communities,” Hollinrake said.
