Alan Milburn, the former Labour cabinet minister turned social mobility adviser, has published the first installment of a government-commissioned report on the rising number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). The report paints a damning picture of systemic failings affecting approximately one million 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK.
Spanning 217 pages, the document details the extent and root causes of the NEET crisis. Milburn describes the findings as a “record of failure” that is letting down a generation of young people. Solutions are expected to be outlined in a subsequent report.
The review highlights structural issues such as inadequate careers advice, poor mental health support, and a lack of high-quality vocational training. It also points to persistent regional disparities and the impact of automation on entry-level jobs.
The first part of the report sets the stage for policy recommendations due later this year. Milburn’s analysis is seen as a key influence on the government’s approach to tackling youth disengagement.
