Nearly One Million Young People in UK Face Social and Economic Exclusion

Nearly One Million Young People in UK Face Social and Economic Exclusion
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The UK faces a growing crisis of young people not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), with the latest Office for National Statistics figures suggesting around 946,000 aged 16 to 24 fall into this category, The Guardian reported. While experts caution that labour survey data have limitations, the scale of the challenge and its social and economic implications is widely acknowledged.

The government has launched a review of NEETs, led by former minister Alan Milburn, focusing on the roles of disability and mental health, while Shadow Chancellor Rachel Reeves is expected to highlight the issue in the upcoming budget. Analysts and charities warn that many young people face long-term economic inactivity, often moving onto sickness or disability benefits due to mental or physical health issues, a problem exacerbated by the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on confidence, social skills, and workplace readiness.

Youth employment charities report that navigating the job market and benefits system is increasingly difficult, with prolonged job searches and impersonal processes, including AI-driven recruitment, leaving many disillusioned. Even those who secure employment are at risk of rapid job loss, with recent payroll data showing that nearly half of jobs lost since last summer affected people under 25.

Efforts such as the government’s “youth guarantee” and planned work placements for long-term universal credit claimants aim to provide pathways into work or training, but critics argue that punitive conditionality could worsen insecurity. Experts highlight systemic issues in education and vocational training, including underfunded further education colleges and limited routes back into learning for dropouts.

The changing labour market adds further complexity, as automation and AI reduce the availability of entry-level roles that traditionally helped young people start their careers. Analysts warn that addressing the NEET crisis requires broad reforms across education, training, and labour market policies to ensure young people have the skills, support, and opportunities to thrive.