Data shows the headline unemployment rate continued to climb and hit 4.6%, a four-year high, last month

The US labor market grew by more than expected last month, recovering some of the damage inflicted by the federal government shutdown, according to official data.

An estimated 105,000 jobs were lost in October, and 64,000 were added in November, a highly-anticipated report showed on Tuesday.

The number of ‘neets’ is skyrocketing in Britain, another Tory failure. Labour’s plans for apprenticeships and training funds will turn this around

• Pat McFadden is secretary of state for work and pensions

Neglect is a political choice, and one with deep human consequences.

That is what has struck me in the early months as secretary of state for work and pensions. Graph after graph, slide after slide, all pointing upwards, on young people out of work, on mental health issues among the population, and on the decision by default as much as design that the response should be benefits rather than changing lives.

Pat McFadden is secretary of state for work and pensions

Report to highlight ‘uncomfortable truths’ and could recommend ‘radical change’, former health secretary says

A major review into rising inactivity among Britain’s young people has been launched by the former health secretary Alan Milburn, with a promise not to shy away from “uncomfortable truths” or “radical” policy solutions.

A panel of health, business and policy experts, including the former John Lewis boss Charlie Mayfield, ex-Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane and social welfare expert Dame Louise Casey, will help draw up recommendations.

PwC warns that future of a generation is at risk and that jobs crisis is costing UK economy up to £26bn a year

Britain is slipping down the global league table for youth employment amid a dramatic rise in worklessness that is putting a generation’s future at risk, research has warned.

Sounding the alarm over a worsening youth jobs crisis, the report from the accountancy firm PwC said Britain’s economy was missing out on £26bn a year because of sharp regional divisions in youth joblessness.