The latest labour market figures published today by the Office for National Statistics show unemployment rising to 5.2% in the three months to December 2025, the highest level seen in the UK since early 2021.
The increase is particularly pronounced among young people with the unemployment rate for those aged 16 to 24 climbing to 16.1%, meaning almost one in six young people is currently out of work.
These figures highlight growing pressure on the labour market and reinforce the importance of clear, structured pathways into sustainable employment, particularly in sectors with strong potential for growth and social impact, such as sport and physical activity.
A critical moment for young people entering the workforce
Youth unemployment is often the most sensitive indicator of labour market health. When economic conditions tighten, entry-level opportunities can become more limited, making it harder for young people to gain the experience and foothold needed to build long-term careers.
This can have lasting consequences, both for individuals and for the wider economy. Early career access plays a vital role in supporting progression, confidence and lifelong participation in the workforce.
At the same time, employers across the sport and physical activity sector continue to require a skilled, competent workforce capable of supporting healthier communities and delivering essential services.
Alan Milburn who has led the government’s review into the number of young people not in education, employment or training, has described youth unemployment is a “long-term” phenomenon, highlighting that young people are on a “downward escalator” of poor health, poor education, and graduating “into the benefit system” as adults, during a BBC interview.
He said that young people are normally the first to be hit by an economic downturn, but then it bounces back, but that isn’t happening and that significant action is needed from government and employers.
Supporting access to professional careers in sport and physical activity
The sport and physical activity sector offers accessible, rewarding career pathways for young people, from coaching and instructing roles to positions in community health, rehabilitation and wellbeing.
Ensuring these opportunities are clearly understood and aligned with recognised professional standards is essential to supporting both jobseekers and employers.
CIMSPA has been working in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help strengthen understanding of careers within the sport and physical activity workforce. This includes supporting DWP work coaches with information on professional standards, career pathways, and progression opportunities, helping jobseekers access sustainable and meaningful roles.
We have also been collaborating with DWP, employers and education providers on an employability pilot which creates work placement opportunities underpinned by training and qualifications which lead to professional status and jobs.
By aligning employment support with professional standards, this work helps ensure individuals are guided towards credible, structured career opportunities, while supporting employers to recruit skilled and competent professionals.
Strengthening the workforce through partnership
As labour market pressures increase, collaboration between professional bodies, employers and employment services becomes increasingly important.
Natasha Schofield, Associate Director of Education and Career Development at CIMSPA, said:
“Today’s unemployment figures highlight the importance of ensuring young people can access clear, structured pathways into sustainable careers. The sport and physical activity sector offers meaningful professional opportunities that support not only employment, but the health and wellbeing of communities. In turn this supports people who may have long-term health conditions to improve their wellbeing and potentially improve their own employability.
Our work with the Department for Work and Pensions is helping ensure jobseekers understand these opportunities and can access pathways aligned to recognised professional standards and status, supporting both individual career development and the strength of the workforce as a whole.”
Creating sustainable career pathways
Professional standards play a critical role in supporting workforce development. They provide clarity for employers and individuals, ensuring roles are aligned with defined knowledge, skills, and behaviours, and supporting long-term career progression.
As the professional body for sport and physical activity, CIMSPA remains committed to working with partners across government and industry to strengthen career pathways, support employers, and ensure the workforce is equipped to meet future demand.
Today’s figures reinforce the importance of this work in supporting both economic resilience and the continued development of a skilled, trusted, and professional sport and physical activity workforce.