Britain is being urged to implement a New Deal-style initiative aimed at addressing the crisis faced by young people who are not in employment, education, or training (Neets). Lord David Blunkett, a former Cabinet minister, has emphasized the need for urgent government action following a recent report by Alan Milburn, which highlighted the plight of over one million Neets in the country.
In an article for The Mirror, Lord Blunkett proposed focusing on young people in government infrastructure projects as a solution to the crisis. This approach involves the construction of new schools, transport systems, hospitals, and offshore wind farms nationwide, with an estimated workforce requirement of up to 706,000 individuals over the next five years.
Drawing parallels to historical initiatives like President Roosevelt’s New Deal in the 1930s, Lord Blunkett emphasized the importance of investing in skills to empower young individuals. The idea of potentially reversing recent increases in employers’ national insurance contributions to boost youth employment has also been raised by politicians like Wes Streeting.
However, Pat McFadden, the Work and Pensions Secretary, cautioned against rash tax changes, highlighting the deep-rooted nature of youth inactivity issues. A separate study released recently revealed a concerning trend of isolation and disconnection among young people, with a decline in accessible community spaces for creativity and collaboration.
The report underscored the critical need for creating opportunities for young individuals to connect, be creative, and build confidence outside traditional settings. Comedian Jack Rooke, a former beneficiary of creative spaces, stressed the importance of ensuring equal access to such resources for all young people, regardless of background or financial means.