Reform UK chairman Lee Anderson has criticized the government’s immigration and labor policies, arguing that young people in the UK are being denied access to entry-level jobs while migrant workers are filling roles in sectors traditionally associated with weekend or part-time work.

Anderson warned that over a million individuals aged 16 to 24 are currently not engaged in education, employment, or training, describing this situation as the creation of a “lost generation.” Speaking from his position as the Ashfield MP, he highlighted the decline of what he called "simple Saturday jobs"—such as shifts in pubs, paper rounds, or cashier roles in local shops—that once provided young people with early work experience.

The Reform UK official expressed concern that the government’s list of employers licensed to sponsor migrant workers includes businesses such as car washes, vape shops, barber shops, takeaways, newsagents, and phone shops. He questioned whether these sectors align with the government’s stated aim of attracting “skilled workers.” Anderson said he envisioned skilled migration bringing in professionals like engineers or surgeons who contribute to critical infrastructure and medical advancements. Instead, he claimed, the current system allows a vast number of lower-skilled positions to be filled by migrants, limiting opportunities for domestic youth.

Additionally, Anderson criticized recent increases in National Insurance contributions, saying the higher costs make it harder for businesses to hire staff, which he said exacerbates challenges for young people seeking employment.

Anderson has reportedly written to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood seeking clarification on the number of visas and sponsorship licences granted to businesses such as vape shops, as well as inquiries into inspections conducted by the Home Office or Trading Standards. He noted that over 140,000 businesses currently hold sponsorship licences and more than 300,000 visa applications have been processed under this route over the past five years.

A recent report by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn has echoed concerns about youth unemployment, warning that the number of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET) could exceed 1.25 million within five years.

Responding to the criticism, the Home Office said it intends to urgently review the presence of businesses like vape shops, barbers, and car washes on the list of sponsors permitted to recruit migrant workers. The department emphasized that holding a sponsorship licence does not guarantee visa issuance and stated that it will not tolerate abuse of the system. They further noted that more than 100 occupations have been removed from eligibility for overseas recruitment and the salary threshold for skilled workers has been raised, changes that have contributed to an 82% reduction in net migration.