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A CAMPAIGN is under way to protect summer job opportunities for young people.
Skipton and Ripon MP Sir Julian Smith has joined calls to "save the summer job" by supporting Conservative proposals to remove barriers to youth employment and give 16- and 17-year-olds more flexibility in part-time work.
The proposals include relaxing rules around evening working, allowing under-16s to work later on Sundays, and removing some permit requirements for businesses employing young people.
Sir Julian said: "Summer jobs give young people much-needed first-hand skills, confidence and experience.
"We must make it easier for our local businesses to give young people that vital first step onto the career ladder.
"That’s why we need more flexibility for young people about when they can work and take breaks, and scrapping needless red tape and permits that make it harder for businesses to give young people a chance."
The Conservative Party argues that current employment rules, many of which originate from EU regulations, are outdated and unnecessarily restrictive now that the UK has left the EU.
Under the Conservatives’ proposals, young people still in education would be allowed to work until midnight on Fridays and Saturdays during term time, and there would be no restrictions during school holidays.
The requirement for 48 consecutive hours off in a seven-day period would be reduced to 24 hours.
Andrew Griffith, shadow secretary of state for business and trade, said: "A generation of young people risks being locked out of work because of unnecessary red tape, higher taxes and economic uncertainty.
"Simplifying rules about when young people can work and take breaks will help save the summer job and give employers the confidence they need to hire a young person."
The Conservative Party has also pledged to scrap the two-hour Sunday working limit for under-16s and abolish business rates for 250,000 retail, hospitality, and leisure businesses.
This forms part of a wider plan to support economic growth and reduce youth unemployment.
A report by former Labour minister Alan Milburn highlighted a decline in youth employment, noting that the percentage of 16- to 17-year-olds in work has fallen from 35 per cent in 2006 to 19 per cent today.
Kate Nicholls, chair of UK Hospitality, said: "60% of first jobs were in hospitality.
"We give so many young people their first step on the career ladder.
"These sensible reforms will remove unnecessary barriers for businesses and give young people the opportunity to learn new skills and gain the confidence that comes with a first job."