# The UK towns where young people can't find work

> A new index reveals a sixfold gap in youth job opportunities between Rotherham and the Cotswolds.
- Title: The UK towns where young people can't find work · the Guardian
- Summary: A new index reveals a sixfold gap in youth job opportunities between Rotherham and the Cotswolds. Where you live in the UK dramatically affects your chances…
- Keywords: rotherham, cotswolds, youth unemployment, ippr, institute for public policy research, alan milburn, neet, uk jobs, regional inequality, south yorkshire, apprenticeships, news
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/society/2026/sep/16/revealed-the-uk-towns-with-the-fewest-jobs-for-young-people
- Published: 2026-09-16T05:00:11+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: rotherham, cotswolds, youth unemployment, ippr, institute for public policy research, alan milburn, neet, uk jobs, regional inequality, south yorkshire, apprenticeships, news
## Rotherham has Britain's worst youth jobs
The South Yorkshire town has just 46 online job vacancies for every 1,000 young people. The Cotswolds has 288 vacancies per 1,000 young people.
## A sixfold gap in opportunities
The IPPR's new local youth opportunity index tracks job vacancies across Britain. It reveals stark regional divisions in the youth jobs market.
## The south dominates youth employment
Nine of the 10 best areas for youth job opportunities are in southern England. Cities like Sheffield, Coventry and Cardiff ranked near the bottom.
## Over 1 million young people not working
The number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in employment, education or training hit 1 million this year. That's one in eight young people.
## Ministers await Milburn's youth worklessness review
Alan Milburn is leading a review into Britain's crisis in youth unemployment. He's expected to publish findings next month calling for policy overhaul.
## IPPR calls for new youth programmes
The think tank wants ministers to overhaul apprenticeships and create a work start programme funding youth jobs. It also proposes a new youth allowance.

> Young people have an immense amount to give. With national ambition, local leadership and the willingness to invest, we can ensure that birthplace does not determine a young person's future
## Key takeaway

Where you live in the UK dramatically affects your chances of finding work as a young person, with southern areas offering six times more opportunities than some northern towns.