Over 946,000 Young People Not in Work or Education Amid Rising NEET Rates
Between July and September this year, 946,000 individuals aged 16 to 24 were neither working nor studying, representing more than 10% of this age group. Approximately 1 million people fall into the NEET category, meaning they are not in education, employment, or training. More than half of young people classified as NEET have a health condition, with about one in five experiencing a mental health condition. NEET rates tend to be higher in the North East and East of England, and unemployment is more prevalent among young men than women. Additionally, 16-24-year-olds are nearly six times more likely to be on zero-hours contracts compared to other age groups. In response, the government plans to introduce a Youth Guarantee that will offer 18 months of paid, guaranteed work for young people who have not been working or studying. Alan Milburn is conducting a review of these issues, expected to be published next year, while Wes Streeting has called for a formal review on the potential over-diagnosis of mental health conditions. Political polls indicate that among under-30s, the Reform and Green parties receive around 20% support with young men favoring Reform, while Labour holds about 30% overall for this demographic. The Greens are the most popular party among young women, reflecting concerns about political risk for parties that do not adequately address youth employment and education gaps.
