Unemployed and Undeterred: One Young Man's Struggle Amidst Rising Joblessness

In Suffolk, 25-year-old Joe Burgess has become an emblem of the struggles faced by young job seekers, applying for 80 jobs in just two months without success. Previously employed at a shipping firm for two-and-a-half years after gaining his diploma, Joe experienced a sudden shift when his department was downsized, leading him to another shipping role that lasted only six months before it too was made redundant.

Now, after three months of unemployment, Joe’s experience mirrors a broader trend in the East of England, where youth unemployment has surged by 13.6% over the past decade. The latest figures reveal an alarming rise from 66,000 unemployed 16 to 24-year-olds in mid-2015 to 75,000 in mid-2025. Meanwhile, the national unemployment rate has nudged upwards from 4.7% to 4.8%, predominantly affecting younger workers.

Joe expresses resilience in the face of adversity, stating, “It’s been a constant cycle of redundancies. I just have to keep going, keep pushing myself.” His mother, Amanda, echoes this sentiment, describing the frustration of watching her son face repeated setbacks in a workforce that seems increasingly hostile. “It’s a scary time,” she adds, highlighting the lack of support available for job seekers.

In response to these challenges, the government announced in August a £45 million initiative aimed at ensuring no young person is left without the opportunity for education or training, emphasizing the importance of unlocking economic growth for the future of the country. Liz Kendall, the then Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, insisted that the government would not idly stand by as youth potential goes untapped.

Joe’s story serves as a poignant reminder of the difficulties many face in today’s labor market, and his determination remains the beacon of hope amidst widespread economic challenges.