Alan Milburn Urges Greater Powers for Mayors to Combat Youth Unemployment Crisis
Alan Milburn, the government's work tsar, has issued a stark warning that England's youth unemployment crisis requires immediate and substantial local intervention. In an exclusive interview, Milburn emphasised that mayors across the country must be granted expanded powers to tackle the issue and prevent its "long-term scarring" effects on regions outside London.
Regional Disparities in Youth Unemployment
The latest official figures reveal a troubling concentration of nearly one million young people not in work, education, or training (Neets) in the north and Midlands. Alarmingly, eight of the ten local authorities with the highest Neet rates are located in these two regions. The north-east reports 17.3% of young people as Neets, significantly above the national average, while Yorkshire and Humberside records 16.8%.
Milburn, who is leading a major review into rising inactivity among Britain's youth, expressed particular concern over the statistic that 45% of all 24-year-old Neets have never held a job. He described this as having a "long-term scarring effect" on their lives and warned that the issue cannot be resolved by Whitehall alone.
The Critical Role of Local Authorities
"Local authorities and mayors have an absolutely critical role to play because they've got convening power – they can bring together schools, the colleges, the employers in an area," Milburn stated. "They've got some legal powers. I think we will look at whether those legal powers go far enough."
The former health secretary added that while mayors currently possess some educational oversight, there is a pressing question about whether they require greater responsibilities for reducing Neet rates, as well as enhanced authority in skills development and employment support. "If this is going to be addressed as a problem, it's got to be addressed locally as well as nationally," he emphasised.
Broader Economic Context and Public Concern
Office for National Statistics data shows unemployment rose to 5.2% in the final quarter of 2025, marking the highest rate since early 2021. Young people aged 16-24 are disproportionately affected, with 16% currently unemployed – nearly an 11-year high.
Milburn described youth unemployment as the most "visceral" issue he has examined in three decades of public service. "It taps into a deep sense of concern and indeed fear amongst the British public," he said. "I've never known anything quite like it in 30 years or whatever it is that I've been around politics and public policy. This has got more salience with the public than any issue I've ever dealt with."
He highlighted public anxiety about a generational challenge where young people might be worse off than their parents or grandparents for the first time in a century. "There's a fear in British society that the contract that we've had – that each generation would do better than the last – has been broken," Milburn observed.
Review Process and Expert Involvement
Milburn's review, which promises to leave "no go" areas unexplored, is scheduled to publish an interim update in May with full recommendations due in September. The inquiry will examine the roles of the welfare state and NHS in youth unemployment.
The review team is engaging in "very active conversations" with mayors and local authorities to ensure their participation in developing solutions. A distinguished panel of experts, including former John Lewis boss Charlie Mayfield, ex-Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane, and social welfare expert Dame Louise Casey, will contribute to formulating recommendations.
During a visit to an adult employment centre in Bradford, Milburn expressed his intention to "ignite a movement for change" beyond Westminster. When questioned about potential economic shocks from Middle East conflicts derailing domestic agendas, he maintained that youth unemployment remains a paramount concern requiring sustained attention and action.
