DAILY MAIL COMMENT: Kemi's 'tough love' plan to save a lost generation from Labour's legacy of unemployment

Published: 19:59 EDT, 6 October 2026 | Updated: 20:01 EDT, 6 October 2026 It hardly requires a PhD in economics to know that almost one million young people not in education, employment or training (Neets) is an unaffordable crisis as well as a tragedy.With Labour failing to produce a plausible remedy, the Conservatives’ new blueprint offers real hope that this lost generation will ultimately experience the dignity of working and contributing to the economy.The first element of the party’s Rescue Plan for Young People is aimed at halving employers’ share of National Insurance (NI) payments to 7.5 per cent for staff aged 21 to 24. Figures show the £2.3billion proposal comes against the backdrop of youth unemployment reaching a 12-year high.The blame for the calamitous jobs situation belongs almost entirely to Labour. Increases in workers’ rights and a dizzying rise in red tape slowed down recruitment.But it was sharp hikes in youth minimum wage rates and bosses’ NI liabilities - introduced on the hapless Rachel Reeves’s watch - that have made it most difficult for young people to find work.Kemi Badenoch is right that a strong dose of ‘tough love’ is required to address the welfare mentality that has thrived under Labour. Her proposals to stop school leavers going straight on to the dole are a clear statement of intent that the benefits culture must be consigned to history.Kemi Badenoch is right that a strong dose of ‘tough love’ is required to address the welfare mentality that has thrived under LabourBy announcing plans for ‘back to work’ cards that would block claimants from making cash withdrawals or spending money on booze, cigarettes or gambling, she also signalled that she is on to professional scroungers who are allergic to an honest day’s graft.This latest move will incentivise employers to hire people who do want to work. Mrs Badenoch’s emergency measures provide a roadmap towards saving the nation’s young from a life of indolence and dependence on the state.That the Labour Party has no workable plan of its own is a damning indictment of its leader and the man who preceded him.Utterly indefensibleOnly after weeks of ducking and diving did Andy Burnham finally admit that he was unwilling to prioritise the defence budget over welfare handouts.Yet now it appears that he is set to postpone a review on military spending until late next year. It bad enough that the Prime Minister is refusing to protect Britain against the growing threat from overseas. But it is, in certain respects, almost worse that he is trying to play us all for fools.According to reports, Mr Burnham hopes that the economy will be in better shape in 12 months’ time. If he’s still in charge, that seems highly unlikely.BBC's glass housesThe BBC’s response to Jeffrey Archer’s death was deeply mean-spirited. In a headline on its website, the 86-year-old was described in almost contemptuous terms as ‘successful novelist, disgraced politician and convicted liar’.No one disputes that Lord Archer had a chequered CV (although it is difficult to escape the conclusion that his main ‘crime’ was being a Conservative). But not only was he a hugely popular author who brought joy to millions, he also raised vast sums for charity and was one of the most colourful figures in public life.It is worth noting that the BBC itself is hardly beyond reproach and has some rather more serious stains on its reputation. As the Bible says, let he who is without sin…