About 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK are not in employment, education or training (Neet), according to a report published in May. The report warned that without urgent government action, the figure could rise to 1.25 million by the early 2030s.
Focus on Northern England
The Guardian is particularly keen to hear from young people living in northern England who are not currently in work or education, or who have been struggling to find a job. The region has been disproportionately affected by economic challenges, with higher rates of youth unemployment compared to other parts of the UK.
Share Your Experience
Have you been applying for months without success? How many applications have you made? Have you struggled to get interviews or found yourself being repeatedly rejected or ghosted by employers? How has the search for work affected you financially or emotionally? The Guardian invites young people aged 18 and over to share their stories, anonymously if preferred.
Responses can be submitted via an encrypted form or through WhatsApp at +447766780300. For fully anonymous communication, the Secure Messaging service is available. All data provided will be used solely for the purpose of the feature and will be deleted when no longer required.
Background and Context
The Neet statistics highlight a growing crisis among young people in the UK. The May report, cited by the Guardian, underscores the need for targeted interventions to prevent the number from escalating. Northern England, with its industrial heritage and recent economic shifts, has seen particularly acute challenges in youth employment.
The Guardian's callout aims to amplify the voices of those directly affected, providing a platform for their experiences and concerns. By sharing these stories, the hope is to inform public discourse and policy decisions.
