The Govt appears to accept it cannot deny the benefit to young people who refuse work or training until there are enough training places available.

Some 42 per cent of white-collar employers froze salaries in the past six months, research shows.

John Key has announced a $152 million plan to create work, education and training opportunities for unemployed youth after the number out of work rose from 4000 last June to 17,000 this June.

John Whitehead says his speech calling for a shake-up in the public service should not be read as a call for wholesale job cuts.