Labour's Work and Pensions Secretary has issued a stark warning that the escalating number of young people not in employment, education, or training must be addressed as a national emergency. Pat McFadden has squarely blamed the previous Conservative government for failing to tackle this growing crisis, which has been worsening since 2021.
Alarming Statistics Reveal Scale of the Problem
According to the most recent official figures, approximately 946,000 young people aged between 16 and 24 were classified as NEET during the period from July to September 2025. This represents around one in eight individuals within this age demographic, equating to over 12% of all 16-24-year-olds across the country.
A Lifelong Scarring Effect
In an exclusive statement to The Mirror, Mr McFadden emphasised the profound consequences of youth inactivity. "Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed, with the right support and opportunities – but for too long this hasn't happened," he declared. "For years there has been an unacceptable rise in inactivity among young people, which the last government failed to tackle, and has a lifelong scarring effect. We must treat this as a national emergency. The measures we are taking are an investment in their future."
Government Launches Flagship Job Guarantee Scheme
The Secretary of State's comments coincide with the government opening applications for its flagship Job Guarantee scheme in six key regions, including Birmingham & Solihull and Greater Manchester. This ambitious programme aims to provide 55,000 subsidised job offers to individuals aged 18-21 who have been receiving Universal Credit for at least 18 months.
Employer Commitments and Sanction Warnings
More than 60 major employers, including retail giants Tesco and JD Sports, have already committed to providing positions under the Job Guarantee initiative. However, the Department for Work and Pensions has issued clear warnings that participants who fail to engage with the support offered without valid justification will face benefit sanctions. The national roll-out of this scheme is anticipated to commence later this year.
Independent Investigation Underway
In a further effort to address this critical issue, the government launched an independent investigation last year specifically designed to reduce the number of young people not in work, education, or training. This inquiry is being led by Labour veteran and former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, with its final report expected to be published during the summer months.
Political Clash Over Youth Employment
The political debate surrounding youth employment intensified during Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, when Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy confronted Conservative accusations about the cost of hiring young people. "The party opposite left a shameful legacy," Mr Lammy retorted. "One in eight young people not earning or learning when they left office." This exchange underscores the ongoing partisan conflict over responsibility for the NEET crisis and the best strategies to resolve it.
