Andy Burnham, the Prime Minister, has expressed concern that virtual job interviews through platforms like Zoom or Teams do not allow candidates to showcase their personality and passion. He argues that relying too heavily on these digital interviews can make recruitment processes unfair, favoring those who give formulaic answers over those with unique qualities. According to a survey by Linked In, 89% of UK recruiters plan to use more AI in the hiring process this year, which has led some critics to warn about the potential for bias and exclusion. Burnham's comments have been met with mixed responses from industry experts, who argue that online interviews can be useful but should not replace in-person connections.
Written by the local model on 2026-08-21,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Why this leaning score
The article presents a balanced view with both Burnham's criticisms of virtual interviews and responses from industry experts defending their use. However, the framing of Burnham's comments as 'concerned' about fairness suggests a slightly more sympathetic tone towards his perspective.
Written under an earlier scoring contract, which gave a paragraph
rather than checkable quotes. Re-analysing this article replaces it.
Leaning score +0.55 for article 59 · logged 2026-07-31
- Published
Bosses should not rely so heavily on virtual job interviews when hiring as they don't capture candidates' personality and passion, Andy Burnham has said.
"One thing I really don't like is this culture now of interviewing via Zoom or Teams," the prime minister told a careers podcast, adding: "How does a young person shine in that situation?"
asserted
person → publish → situation
With more than one million 16 to 25-year-olds not in work or education, and vacancies at a five-year low, firms are increasingly turning to AI to sift through applications and choosing online interviews over in-person.
But some young people have told the BBC the experience of applying for hundreds of jobs and never hearing back is "robotic and brutal".
asserted
experience → turn → jobs
It comes as some 89% of UK recruiters say they are planning to use more AI in the hiring process this year, according to data from Linked In.
uncertain
they → come → In
Speaking to former political adviser Jimmy McLoughlin on his podcast Jimmy's Jobs of the Future, Burnham said he was concerned that the use of technology was not making recruitment processes "fairer".
asserted
processes → speak → technology
"How do you get over some of your personality, your passion?" he asked, referring to virtual interviews.
asserted
he → get → interviews
"It seems to me to then work against people who have that side to their character and work for those who are just giving the more formulaic answer.
asserted
who → seem → answer
"I do worry about that and I've seen that in relation to my kids and their situation."
asserted
I → worry → kids
Responding to Burham's comments, industry body the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC) said online interviews were useful, particularly in earlier hiring stages, but could not replace vital in-person connection.
uncertain
interviews → respond → connection
Maxine Bligh from the REC said: "AI tools are helpful, even essential, when dealing with a huge volume of applications, but it takes skill and professionalism to make the right call.
asserted
it → say → call
"The key message from us to recruiters is to go digital where it matters and human where it counts."
asserted
it → go → recruiters
Elizabeth Anderson, chief executive of the Digital Poverty Alliance, said online interviews allowed people who do not live in cities to access opportunities.
asserted
who → say → opportunities
"Forcing young people to travel into London and other major cities or be limited to local roles that are often in short supply, doesn't support aspiration or opportunity within the UK," she said.
asserted
she → force → UK
AI in job interviews and CV sorting is unfair on young people due to its inherent bias and the vast majority of school leavers being unaware of how to write to be shortlisted by the AI recruitment tools doing the sorting."
asserted
majority → write → sorting
Amy Davies from Talent People, which designs assessment and selection solutions for early careers hiring, said while video interviews were not an ideal substitute for an in-person meeting, they could make the process more accessible.
uncertain
process → design → meeting
"As one candidate told us: 'I appreciate the ability to retake each question, so I could practice, then rewatch and try again'," she said.
uncertain
she → tell → question
"That kind of control matters particularly for neurodivergent candidates, and for young people who may not be able to afford travel just to attend a first-stage interview, which can be the difference between applying for a role and not."
uncertain
which → matter → role
Denis Machuel, chief executive of the Adecco Group, said there was a role for both virtual and in-person interviews.
asserted
Machuel → say → interviews
"The real test for employers isn't whether an interview happens on a screen or in a room, it's whether the process remains fair, transparent and focused on evaluating genuine skills and potential," he said.
asserted
he → happen → skills
More than one million 16 to 25-year-olds are not in education, employment or training - the highest level in more than 12 years, official figures show.
asserted
figures → show → years
A major review by former minister Alan Milburn found job and career opportunities for young people are "not growing, they're shrinking" with one in six set to be out of work, education or training in five years unless action is taken.
asserted
action → find → years
"We are at risk of a lost generation" with young adults facing a "perfect storm" of challenges, Milburn warned in May.
uncertain
Milburn → face → May
Burnham also told the podcast that companies who provide six-week work placements for teenagers could be prioritised for government contracts.
uncertain
who → tell → contracts
He said he wanted to increase the number of 45-day placements, to give 16 to 18-year-olds the chance to spend more time with an employer and gain practical experience.
asserted
he → say → experience
The PM also called for senior executives to offer young people who do not have established contact networks the chance to shadow them.
asserted
who → call → them
It comes after Burnham unveiled plans on Tuesday to open up new technical education routes to 14-year-olds, which would be put on the same footing as traditional academic pathways.
asserted
which → come → pathways
From Year 10, pupils will be able to combine core academic subjects, such as English and maths, with technical education linked to jobs in their area.
asserted
pupils → combine → area
