Keywords
Immigration
Labour-Market Integration
Social Policy
United Kingdom
How to Cite
Abstract
Youth employment has long been a barometer of social and economic well-being in advanced economies, yet in the United Kingdom, its dynamics are increasingly shaped by immigration and shifting policy regimes. This article presents a literature-based analysis of how social policies have influenced the labour-market integration of immigrant youth compared with their native-born peers from 2000 to 2024. Drawing on theoretical perspectives from human capital theory, labour market segmentation, social exclusion, and integration studies, the paper synthesises research evidence from academic journals, think tank reports, and government documents. The analysis highlights persistent disparities in employment outcomes, shaped by educational attainment, migration status, and ethnicity, as well as by the broader policy context of austerity, welfare conditionality, and Brexit-era immigration reform. Findings suggest that, although successive UK governments have sought to promote inclusion through training and employment initiatives, structural barriers—such as credential recognition issues, discrimination, and insecure work—continue to hinder full participation. The article concludes by arguing for a more coherent social policy framework that aligns immigration control with youth employment strategies to enhance equality and social cohesion.
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