Burnham calls for radical overhaul of support for young people

The Guardian reported that the prime minister said a “root and branch review of childhood” is needed and he does not rule out some benefit cuts. Andy Burnham said the government is aiming for “quite radical change” in the way young people are supported, suggesting tougher rules for benefits could be paired with notably more help with everything from finding work to mental health. In media interviews ahead of the second report by former minister Alan Milburn on reducing the numbers of young people not in work, education or training, Burnham said his mission was “rethinking childhood” from the early years onwards. The comments hint at a possible shift in policy that could reshape welfare provisions and services for children and young adults across the country.

Why it matters

The proposed review could lead to significant changes in benefit rules and youth support services, affecting many families.

Key details

Location

United Kingdom · Europe

Reported by

The Guardian

First reported

6 Nov 2026, 22:20 IST

Key names

Andy Burnham, Alan Milburn, Burnham

Section

Politics

Sources

This is an independent summary. Read the full, original reporting from the publisher:

• The GuardianBurnham aims for ‘quite radical change’ in support for young people 6 Nov, 22:20

Read the full story at The Guardian ↗

Spotted an error? Request a correction · How this summary was produced