EXCLUSIVE: “The Education System Has Let Young People Down” - Prime Minister Andy Burnham | #107

<p>I sat down for an urgent conversation with the Prime Minister of the UK to ask him how he plans to turn this ship around.With nearly 16% of 18-24 year olds NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) and their peers racking up astronomical debts from uni fees, Gen Z are in crisis.</p><p>The son of a telephone engineer and a GP receptionist, Andy Burnham was raised in Cheshire and educated in local state schools. </p><p>He joined Labour at 15 and went on to study English at Cambridge. Elected MP for Leigh in 2001, he served as Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Culture Secretary and Health Secretary. </p><p>He was Mayor of Greater Manchester for nine years from 2017. In 2026 he returned to Parliament and became Labour leader and Prime Minister on 20 July 2026.</p><p>Follow the Prime Minister on X: https://x.com/andyburnhamGet </p><p>20% off SHIFT with my discount: http://shiftyourphone.com/elliot</p><p>Apply to join the best podcast school in the world: https://thepodpro.com/elliot</p><p>CHAPTERS:</p><p>00:00 Why should young people vote for you?</p><p>03:40 What is the point of going to university?</p><p>05:44 Are there too many ‘Mickey Mouse degrees’?</p><p>08:48 How did you convince your dad to let you go to university?</p><p>10:41 What is your message for Gen Z?</p><p>Subscribe to my Substack to support the show and join the community! https://elliotbewick.substack.com/</p><p>My Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliotbewick/</p><p>TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliotbewickX: https://x.com/elliotbewick</p><p>ABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION: </p><p>In a world saturated by social media and marked by skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and ADHD among Gen Z, young people are growing up in a landscape of chaos and contradiction. </p><p>While protests swell in city streets and activists hurl soup at famous artworks to demand climate action, a quieter crisis unfolds within - the mental and emotional battles faced by a generation trying to make sense of it all.</p><p>The Next Generation is hosted by 21-year-old Elliot Bewick, offering a raw and honest look at the world through the eyes of those living in it. </p><p>Bringing together insight from professionals and young people on the ground, this podcast isn’t here to complain or chase clout. It’s here to bend the arc of the modern world towards solutions, truth and a love for the beautiful adventure of life itself.</p>