Leading food companies and the major supermarkets met with the Prime Minister yesterday to discuss improving the employability skills of the young unemployed. 

Bosses from 2 Sisters and Premier Foods were on hand at Number 10 to talk over the need for 17,000 recruits to the food industry by 2020. 

And it came as the  Institute of Grocery Distribution (IGD) announced a further 15,000 workshops for unemployed youngsters as part of its “Feeding Britain’s Future” campaign.

Prime Minister David Cameron said: “I want to make sure young people know what opportunities are out there for them, so they can develop the skills they need to get themselves into good jobs and earn a living.

“It is part of the government’s long-term economic plan to make sure the next generation can achieve their full potential and secure a better and brighter future for themselves and for Britain.”

Joanne Denney-Finch, Chief Executive, IGD, said: “Despite the economy showing some signs of improvement, there are still nearly a million young people in the UK that are not in education, employment or training. In such a tough marketplace, today’s young unemployed need all the help and support they can get. We can’t expect them to play the game if nobody explains the rules, which is exactly what Feeding Britain’s Future is all about.

“I am extremely proud that over 200 food and grocery organisations – large and small – are opening their doors to help young unemployed people through our Feeding Britain’s Future Skills for Work month.”