The British Retail Consortium (BRC) has urged the government to protect Saturday and other part-time jobs as employment reforms are developed, after polling published on 15 August found that 80 per cent of UK adults view them as an important route into work for young people.

The Opinium survey, commissioned by the BRC, found support for part-time work rose to 91 per cent among people aged 55 and over. The BRC said the result reflected the importance many people place on Saturday jobs as an early route into employment.

Retail and its supply chain account for 23 per cent of youth employment, according to BRC figures, with around 780,000 retail jobs held by people aged 16 to 25. More than half, or 55 per cent, of those roles are part-time, providing opportunities to gain workplace experience and develop skills while studying or meeting other commitments.

The BRC said these entry-level opportunities are under pressure following the loss of almost 400,000 retail jobs over the past decade. Retailers have incurred an additional £6.5 billion in employment costs over the past two years following increases to the National Living Wage and employer National Insurance Contributions.

The BRC said the government's proposed Guaranteed Hours rules under the Employment Rights Act could add to those pressures, with government figures putting the potential additional cost to businesses at £2.9 billion. The trade body said retailers could become less willing to offer flexible roles if temporary increases in staffing demand had to become permanent contractual commitments.

Helen Dickinson, chief executive of the British Retail Consortium, said: “For generations, Saturday jobs have given young people their first experience of work, helping them build confidence, develop new skills and take the first step in their careers.”

The BRC is calling for Guaranteed Hours reforms to remain proportionate, the National Insurance Contributions threshold to be increased to encourage entry-level hiring, and the separate National Minimum Wage rate for 18 to 20-year-olds to be retained.

Dickinson said: “If the Burnham government is serious about tackling youth unemployment, it must not make it harder to create entry-level jobs.” She added that businesses needed policies that encouraged recruitment of young people rather than discouraging it.

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