Andy Burnham has said a major report into the Neets crisis will be a “watershed” moment for the country, with big implications for the welfare state when Alan Milburn publishes his review next week into the almost one million young people not in education, employment or work.
The Prime Minister told reporters he could not give a “blanket assurance” that he would accept the recommendations in full, saying: “Let’s wait for the detail and you will hear from me and of course from the Work and Pensions Secretary next week in response.”
Watershed moment for young people
Mr Burnham said: “I think it's really important to see the report as quite a watershed moment in terms of how we think about supporting young people and supporting young people into work.”
He added: “It's starting to point to a very different way of thinking about about welfare and support, and moving more towards guaranteeing support for young people to move forward and get into work, rather than leaving them in a situation where they don't get the support when they need it, and then end up in benefits in their twenties.”
Proposals and concerns
Mr Milburn, a former Labour Cabinet minister, warned this week his proposals — due to be published on Tuesday — would not be “pain-free”. Under his plans, under-25s would no longer be able to claim the health element of Universal Credit or Personal Independence Payments (Pip).
According to the Times, they would instead move on to a new system, paid at the same level as the standard rate of universal credit, but with fewer people entitled. The proposals, also expected to include recommendations for massive investment into work support schemes, have caused some concern among campaigners.
Some left-wing MPs including Clive Lewis have expressed concerns over reports. He posted on X: “I’m deeply disappointed that Alan Milburn has chosen to discuss potentially life-changing welfare proposals in the media before his report has even been published or scrutinised by Parliament.” He added: “I’ve written to the Speaker asking him to raise this with the Secretary of State. Parliament and those whose lives may be affected deserve answers, proper scrutiny and some basic respect.”
Spending and support
Mr Burnham also told reporters there would be a need to discuss “reprioritising spending” in Whitehall to fund Mr Milburn’s plan. He said: “It's not more money - it's just thinking differently about how and when we intervene and how we support young people.”
He cited young people's mental health as an example, saying they are often left waiting and do not get support when they need it. He also said the education system should be based on parity between academic and technical paths, rather than being “so obsessed with the university route”.
