The UK job market is squeezing two very different groups at once: young graduates trying to get their first break, and experienced workers over 50 trying to stay in work or return after redundancy. Although their situations look different, both groups are being hit by a weaker labour market, changing employer expectations, and a growing mismatch between skills and available jobs.
For graduates, the problem is not simply that they are unemployed. It is that entry-level opportunities are shrinking, vacancies are falling, and many employers want candidates who can contribute immediately. A degree is still valuable, but it is no longer enough on its own in many sectors. Employers are increasingly looking for practical experience, digital skills, commercial awareness, and confidence in the workplace.
For people over 50, the challenges are often less visible but just as serious. Older workers can face age bias, health pressures, caring responsibilities, and a labour market that often assumes new hires should be young, cheap, and highly adaptable. When an older worker loses a job, it can take longer to find another one, and the next role may pay less than the last.
So should either group consider self-employment? In some cases, yes. Self-employment can offer flexibility, independence, and a way to turn skills into income without waiting for a traditional employer to open the door. It can work especially well for graduates with a marketable service, and for older workers with deep experience who can offer consulting, bookkeeping, coaching, tutoring, trades, or freelance support.
But self-employment is not a quick fix. Income can be unstable, business costs must be covered, and there are fewer protections than in employment. Anyone considering it should test demand first, keep overheads low, and plan for tax, pensions, and cash reserves. The best approach is often to treat self-employment as a strategy, not a rescue plan.
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