Wes Streeting Delays Defence Youth Employment Plan After Union Pushback

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting delayed the publication of a government plan to increase youth employment in the defence industry after trade unions accused the government of bypassing workers. Originally scheduled for release on Thursday, the proposal aimed to address a moral emergency involving nearly 1 million young people who are not in education, employment, or training.

The plan set a target to support at least 14,000 annual apprenticeships in the defence sector by 2035. Trade unions forced the 11th-hour delay by claiming the government failed to acknowledge the role of unions in promoting build British policies. The Ministry of Defence downplayed the conflict, stating the jobs plan continues to be developed and will be published when ready.

Despite the delay to the broader youth jobs strategy, Streeting is still expected to visit Telford on Thursday. He will unveil a new gun production facility operated by the German defence company Rheinmetall.