Firms paid to wake up teenagers

The UK government will pay private companies to wake up teenagers in a drive to get more youngsters back to college or work, it was announced last Friday.

The initiative is part of UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg’s £126 million (€161 million) Youth Contract to tackle the record number of England’s 16 and 17-year-olds not in education, employment or training – the so-called ‘Neet’ generation.

Clegg last Friday revealed more details about the scheme, which will see charities and businesses paid by results and up to 55,000 youngsters return to college or find jobs.

Organisations can receive up to £2,200 (€2,817) for every child helped, but the full amount will only be paid if a young person is still in full-time education, training or work six months later.