The UK is facing a "quiet epidemic" of joblessness, warns Ashwin Prasad, head of Tesco UK. He says millions fewer people work than should, while more taxpayers' money goes to benefits. Unemployment is at 5.1%, a four-year high. Over 9 million people aged 16 to 64 are economically inactive, including 2.9 million youth and nearly one million young people not working or studying—a 26% rise since before the pandemic. Prasad spoke at a London event by the Resolution Foundation, calling for bold government and business efforts. He said, "We cannot afford to be a country that lets the next generation languish on the sideline." Prasad added the government must stop "tinkering at the edges" and make strong changes. He noted lower-income households have struggled in recent years amid political and economic challenges. Prasad said Tesco, the UK's biggest private employer with over 300,000 staff, sees many fewer people working than possible. "We have been sleepwalking into a quiet epidemic that is keeping millions of people out of work," he said. He also said rising taxes and regulations hurt businesses' ability to hire. Tesco has invested an extra £1 billion in wages over five years. Prasad highlighted the retail sector’s role in offering flexible jobs for people entering or returning to work after breaks for childcare or caring. Meanwhile, the UK government announced a £820 million plan to help young people work or study. Despite Tesco's financial strength, some critics slammed Tesco’s CEO reward amid rising costs for workers. Prasad emphasized that hiring more people would benefit the economy and reduce benefit costs.