The work and pensions secretary has backed the idea that the government should legally guarantee young people help to get into employment.
Pat McFadden told the BBC that job support should be given a “legislative underpinning”, adding the level of assistance on offer was currently “vague”.
McFadden also confirmed that some current benefit claimants would see their current entitlement to benefits reduced when they are reassessed.
But his Conservative counterpart Helen Whately said the idea of legally guaranteeing support “doesn’t make sense” and ministers should focus instead on reducing taxes paid by employers.
It comes ahead of a long-awaited review – set to be published on Tuesday – by former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn, which will say that under-25s should be guaranteed job placements or training to help them find permanent work.
His report is expected to say that under-25s should no longer be able to claim the health element of UK-wide universal credit – or personal independence payment (Pip), the main disability benefit in England and Wales.
Some could be eligible for a new “additional cost allowance” to cover day-to-day costs related to health conditions, under the plans.
Milburn has framed the move as a means to free up funding for increased support for the unemployed, but the idea of reducing the entitlement of existing benefit claimants could prove controversial among Labour MPs.
Speaking to Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Milburn said there should be a new “duty on government” to provide young people with opportunities including apprenticeships, college places, job coaching, or a job.
This should be accompanied, he added, by “more obligations on their part to take up that opportunity”.
