Britain is facing growing concern about the number of young people classified as NEET, rather than in education, work or training, as experts warn the country may be heading towards a “lost generation”.A major review by former Labor cabinet minister Alan Milburn has warned that the number of young people out of work and education could rise by 25 per cent to 1.25 million by the early 2030s unless urgent action is taken, according to a report by The Guardian.The Melbourne results, due to be published on Thursday, are expected to warn that Britain risks creating a wide gap between younger and older generations if problems in education, healthcare, social care and the labor market are not addressed.The warning comes amid rising youth unemployment, worsening mental health problems, pressure on public services and concerns about how artificial intelligence will reshape entry-level jobs.
What does he do? workers He means?
NEET stands for “Not in Education, Employment or Training”. This term is used to describe young people, usually between the ages of 16 and 24, who are not studying, working or receiving work-related training.Governments and economists use this number to measure how successful young people are in transitioning into work.
High NEET levels are often associated with economic stagnation, poor access to jobs, health problems, and gaps in the education system.
Why are the numbers increasing?
The review links this increase to a combination of fewer entry-level jobs, mental health challenges, and economic pressures.According to extracts released ahead of publication and reviewed by The Guardian, the report says young people are being let down by employers and government as opportunities in sectors such as hospitality, leisure and retail continue to decline.Employment opportunities for first-time workers have declined sharply in recent years, while vocational training initiation rates among young people have fallen by 35 percent over the past decade.The review also points to the decline of the traditional “Saturday job”, which previously helped teenagers gain early work experience and enter the labor market.Mental health has become another major concern. Anxiety and depression, coupled with long NHS waiting lists, have made it difficult for some young people to stay in education or work.Meanwhile, business groups have warned that high recruitment costs are discouraging companies from hiring younger workers.Tina McKenzie, head of policy at the Federation of Small Businesses, told the Guardian that rising recruitment costs were a “key factor” behind the rise in NEET numbers.Milburn is expected to argue that the increase reflects deeper failings in the education, healthcare and social care systems rather than a lack of ambition among young people.
