By bizn_fun 
A potential flaw in Reeves’ employment plan for young peoplepublished at 10:55 BST
Dharshini David
Deputy economics editor
The chancellor’s focus on getting young people the training and employment opportunities has been roundly welcomed.
It could improve life chances, boost growth and curb that booming welfare bill. Benefits, the chancellor says, should be there for those not able to find a job.
But that highlights a potential flaw in the plan.
In the last year, more than 150,000 jobs have been lost in sectors such as retail and hospitality – those which traditionally provide many entry-level positions. And economists say the chancellor’s own policies have played a key role in that weaker jobs market, increases in minimum wages and taxes adding significantly to employers’ costs.
One Bank of England survey suggests these may have added 10% to some companies’ wage bills.
So, good intentions may not be sufficient. The challenge for the chancellor is to design a Budget which repairs the public finances but without the kind of tax rises which impair businesses’ ability and confidence to invest and create jobs.
And in the meantime, the uncertainty over what may lie in that red box may already have some pressing pause on hiring plans.