The number of young people in the UK not in education, employment, or training (NEET) has reached a post-pandemic high of 1.01 million between January and March, marking the highest level in over 12 years. This represents an increase of 89,000 from the previous year, primarily attributed to a greater number of young people no longer actively seeking work, according to the Office for National Statistics.
Urgent Intervention Needed
An upcoming review by Alan Milburn warns that without urgent intervention, the proportion of NEET young people could rise from 1 in 8 to 1 in 6 by 2031, affecting 1.25 million and risking a “lost generation”. Milburn's review highlights a significant decline in entry-level jobs and an imbalance in public spending, noting that approximately £25 is spent on benefits for every £1 allocated to youth employment support.
Cross-Party Effort Advocated
Milburn advocates for a cross-party effort to tackle youth unemployment, suggesting the benefits system should act as a “springboard” and that policies impacting employers' ability to hire younger people, such as minimum wage increases, should be reviewed. The report describes the situation as 'traumatic' for young people's prospects.
