UK Youth Unemployment and Training Policies Under Spotlight Amid Rising NEET Rates
The number of young people classified as NEETs—those not in employment, education, or training—has surged by almost 50% from 2021 to 2024, with about one million young people currently out of work in the UK. The NEET rate nationally stands at approximately 12.5%, or one in eight young people, with higher concentrations particularly in the north-east and north-west regions. For comparison, countries like the Netherlands and Germany record significantly lower youth NEET rates of 4% and 8%, respectively.
Youth sickness and mental health problems have escalated sharply, increasing by 76% since 2019. Apprenticeship starts among young people have also declined steeply by nearly 40% in the last decade, highlighting growing challenges in youth employment pathways.
In response, the government has backed a youth guarantee scheme with £820 million in funding, aimed at providing training, work experience, and subsidised employment opportunities for young people out of work. This includes initiatives to stop the decline in apprenticeships by prioritising youth apprenticeships and covering all training costs for small and medium-sized enterprises. Furthermore, short sector-based work academy programmes will be expanded in key areas identified by employers.
Alan Milburn has been appointed to lead a new review on youth inactivity and employment, a task set to begin immediately with findings expected in 2026.
The policy framework also acknowledges the dual impact of artificial intelligence on jobs, with efforts to position the UK as a welcoming centre for AI development in a way that maximises job creation while mitigating job losses.
The author argues that the political neglect of young people has been a choice, and the current policy initiatives represent the most significant commitment in recent years to supporting young people and restoring their hope for a viable economic future.
