Andy Burnham emphasized his commitment today to combat the increase in young individuals not engaged in work, education, or training. Addressing a pressing issue early in his tenure, the new Prime Minister underscored the importance of reducing the number of ‘Neets.’
In his announcement, Burnham outlined plans to introduce new technical education pathways for 14-year-olds, aiming to provide alternative options that are equally valued as traditional academic routes. He stated, “I pledge to decrease the count of young people not in education, employment, and training during my term. Pinpointing the exact timeline for achieving this goal is challenging at present.”
The term ‘Neets’ refers to individuals aged 16 to 24 who are not pursuing education, employment, or training. Recent statistics from January to March revealed a significant 1.01 million young people falling into this category, representing over 13.5% of the age group, marking a 6% increase from the previous quarter.
Historically, the UK has faced periodic spikes in Neet levels, notably post the 2007 financial crisis where the numbers surged. Although there was a decline following a peak in 2011, the figures have been steadily climbing in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Alan Milburn, a former Labour Cabinet minister, was tasked by Keir Starmer’s government to investigate this pressing issue, highlighting the potential long-term economic repercussions and the risk of a “lost generation” if the trend continues. Milburn’s report underscored various contributing factors but emphasized that blame should not fall on the young individuals themselves, with research indicating their desire for employment or training.
Burnham’s government is placing a strong emphasis on addressing the Neets crisis, with the introduction of revamped educational pathways for 14-year-olds. By involving regional leaders and mayors to align education with local job market demands, the initiative aims to prevent a future surge in Neet numbers. Additionally, measures such as providing financial support through bursaries for households on Universal Credit to encourage apprenticeships are being implemented to support young individuals in pursuing vocational paths.
Looking ahead, Burnham’s administration acknowledges the need to tackle additional challenges, including mental health care and treatment delays for young people. Anticipation surrounds Milburn’s forthcoming report, expected to outline fundamental reforms essential for reducing Neet numbers, despite potential associated costs.
The effectiveness of Burnham’s team in Downing Street in executing the proposed reforms and aiding young individuals will be a critical test of their commitment to addressing this pressing issue.