Retail entrepreneur Theo Paphitis has called on UK officials to simplify hiring regulations for businesses, aiming to boost opportunities for young workers.
The Dragons' Den star, who owns brands including Boux Avenue and Robert Dyas, highlighted the difficulty firms face in offering traditional Saturday jobs amid a growing youth employment crisis.
Paphitis argued that easing restrictions on part-time and weekend work could provide a vital pathway for teenagers and young adults to gain experience and income.
Paphitis directed his appeal to Andy Burnham, urging policymakers to remove barriers that prevent retailers from easily employing younger staff.
His intervention adds to a chorus of business leaders pressing for structural changes to support entry-level roles in the high street sector.
The push for reform comes as concerns over youth unemployment intensify, with many young people struggling to secure their first foothold in the labor market.
Paphitis argued that easing restrictions on part-time and weekend work could provide a vital pathway for teenagers and young adults to gain experience and income.