'Big crisis' | Next boss raises Employment Rights Act fears amid 'dramatic fall' in entry-level jobs

The boss of Next has warned of a “dramatic fall” in entry-level job opportunities, as youth unemployment reaches its highest level in more than a decade and businesses continue to raise concerns over employment costs and workplace reforms.

Speaking to the BBC, Lord Simon Wolfson, chief executive of the retailer, said the number of applicants for shop jobs at Next had nearly doubled in two years, reflecting growing pressure in the labour market for younger workers.

“Just two years ago,” Next would typically receive around 10 applicants per shop vacancy, he said, but that figure has since risen to 19.

“That doubling of applicants for shop jobs is indicative of just how big the crisis is in youth unemployment at the moment,” Lord Wolfson told the BBC.