The Economy Scrutiny Committee of Manchester City Council met on Tuesday 21 July 2026 to discuss youth employment, the annual report on culture, and an overview of the committee's work programme. Key decisions included noting the report on youth employment and requesting further information on transport links and the links between health conditions and youth unemployment. The committee also noted the annual culture report and welcomed a further report on progress against recommendations from the Music in the City report.

Youth Employment and Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)

The committee received a report detailing Manchester's position on youth unemployment and young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET), focusing on the 16-24 age cohort. The report highlighted that while Manchester has strong partnerships, rising demand, complex needs, and labour market changes are creating challenges. In May 2026, 867 young people were reported as NEET (5.7%) and 171 were unknown (1.1%). An additional 1,386 post-16 education places have been implemented through collaboration with providers and the Department for Education (DfE).

Discussions revealed concerns about data sharing between schools and further education providers due to GDPR, and the difficulty in determining which institutions should receive information when young people apply to multiple providers. The Council commissions Career Connect to support young people, with a focus on engagement rather than enforcement. The government's Youth Guarantee initiative, extended in March 2026, offers incentives to employers, including wage subsidies and National Insurance contribution exemptions, to encourage the hiring of young people. Manchester City Council has approved Prevention funding to support a citywide apprenticeship campaign, an ambassador programme, employer engagement, and targeted pathways for young people at risk of becoming NEET.

The committee noted that the 18-24 age cohort accounts for 19.4% of total claimants, with a 5.8% increase in this group over the last 12 months. The report also highlighted a significant reduction in entry-level jobs and a shift towards higher-level apprenticeships, with nearly four times as many apprenticeship roles filled by individuals aged 25 and over compared to those under 19. The Milburn Review, examining the rise in youth inactivity, was discussed, with implications for Manchester suggesting a need for a more integrated, place-based approach across education, employment, health, and welfare.

Decisions made:

• The committee noted the report.
• The committee requested further information on how transport links could be improved to support employment opportunities across the city.
• The committee requested further information on the links between health conditions, particularly mental health, and youth unemployment.

Annual Report on Culture 2026

The committee reviewed the Annual Report on Culture 2026, which provided an overview of the Council's support for the cultural sector and progress on Always, Everywhere: Manchester's Cultural Ambition. The report detailed the Council's investments in arts and culture, the progress of the cultural strategy launched in September 2024, and findings from the Cultural Impact Survey 2024-25. This survey, compulsory for Council-funded organisations, measures the economic and social impact of Manchester's cultural organisations.

Key discussion points included the Council's response to recommendations from the Music in the City report regarding targeted financial support for grassroots music venues. A network of music venues has been established in partnership with CityCo and the Music Venue Trust, and a longer-term funding arrangement is in place for Manchester Music City. The committee also discussed the factors influencing footfall at Factory International, noting that it can take time for new venues to establish their programmes and audience behaviours. The rationale for reviewing gender data collection in the Cultural Impact Survey, in light of a Supreme Court ruling, was explained, with a move towards collecting data on both sex and gender separately.

Concerns were raised about the decrease in Manchester resident employees within the cultural sector and the challenges faced by residents outside the city centre in accessing cultural events. The committee discussed how the Council measures the reach of cultural events across the city and the factors contributing to low participation in some wards. The development of the Wythenshawe Cultural Hub was also discussed, with assurances that local residents would be engaged in its design and management, and that it would support local labour and social value.

Decisions made:

• The committee noted the report.
• The committee welcomed the offer of a further report on progress against the recommendations made by the Music in the City report.
• The committee recommended that the Chair, on behalf of the committee, write to the Executive Member for Equalities to request consideration of a standard approach to data collection on sex and gender.

Overview Report

The committee received an overview report containing key decisions within its remit, responses to previous recommendations, and the committee's work programme. The committee noted the report and agreed to the work programme, with specific comments made regarding the timing of a report on graduate retention and the submission of a report on the Integrated Settlement Employment and Skills Programme in September.

Decision made:

• To note the report and agree the work programme, noting the above comments.