A Bucks film studio has backed a scheme that would see young people lose universal credit (UC) benefits if they refuse to take up guaranteed offers of paid work.

Pinewood Studios, home to James Bond, Star Wars and the Carry On films, which is set to build a £1 billion data centre, has pledged its support for the Government’s “youth guarantee”.

Under the plans, every young person who has received UC benefits for 18 months without “earning or learning” will be guaranteed an offer of paid work.

Claimants face sanctions such as losing their benefits if they refuse to take up jobs under the scheme without a reasonable excuse.

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Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visited Pinewood in Iver on Friday, January 30, and tried to convince industry leaders, including Netflix, Disney and Amazon MGM Studios, to back the scheme.

The studios already have a youth training program called 'Behind the Screen' in place in collaboration with Jobcentre Plus.

The scheme supports people currently out of work by offering paid six‑month placements that provide hands-on experience and a first step into the film and TV industry.

As part of the Minster's tour of the site, he was taken into an artificial snowy landscape before being introduced to Darth Vader and a unit of stormtroopers.

He was joined by more than 4,500 young people who were attending a TV and film careers event.

Pat McFadden said: "With almost a million young people not in education, employment or training, we need to create pathways of opportunity and help them build careers.

"Today’s festival has shown what’s possible when government and industry work together.

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"Apprenticeships benefit everyone – young people gain skills and experience, while employers gain fresh talent and new perspectives.

"The Behind the Screen programme is a great example of this in action, helping young people break into an industry that can otherwise feel out of reach.

"I’m delighted that Pinewood is backing our Youth Guarantee.

"I’m calling on other employers across the creative industries to follow their lead and open their doors to the next generation of talent."

The ‘Behind the Screen’ programme which is delivered in collaboration with Jobcentre Plus, supports people currently out of work by offering paid six‑month placements that provide hands-on experience and a first step into the film and TV industry.

Andrew Smith, corporate affairs director of Pinewood Group, said: “Pinewood Group is committed to opening doors and creating accessible pathways into the industry.”