Nearly one million young people in Britain are currently not in education, employment, or training (NEETs), according to stark new figures from the Office for National Statistics. The total number of 16 to 24-year-olds in this category reached 981,000 in the three months to June. This represents 13 percent of the age group, or one in eight young people.
The numbers indicate a worsening youth jobs crisis, with 60,000 more young people classified as NEETs compared to when the Labour party came to power approximately two years ago. The figure for NEETs has risen from 920,000 in the second quarter of 2024, the period just before Prime Minister Andy Burnham took office.
While the current figure is down slightly from just over one million at the start of 2026, the recent increase on last year's numbers is 30,000. The data has drawn criticism from opposition parties, with Shadow Chancellor Sir Mel Stride stating that Labour is hindering young people's futures with increased taxes and regulations. Business groups have also expressed concerns that upcoming workers' rights legislation could further discourage hiring.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has publicly acknowledged the severity of the situation, calling the youth unemployment crisis a "top priority" and stating that it has been "ignored for too long." A government-backed report into the issue is being prepared by former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn. Milburn described the situation as a "scar on this country" and warned that "nearly one million young lives on hold" are being created, with young people desperate for opportunities to learn or earn.
Shifting Work Dynamics
Separately, concerns are emerging about the future of work for young professionals in an era increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence and remote working trends. Accounting and consulting firm EY is reportedly considering requiring junior employees to return to the office. This potential shift is driven by the belief that interpersonal skills, best developed through in-person collaboration, will become more critical as AI handles more technical tasks.
Sayeh Ghanbari from EY noted that a lifestyle heavily centered on working from home may not be conducive to career success in the evolving landscape of AI. The firm's stance suggests a growing emphasis on the development of soft skills and in-person interaction within the workplace.
Lindsay Judge, from the Resolution Foundation think-tank, characterized the recent data as a "worrying sign that Britain's NEETs crisis is a long way from easing."