Primary schools should begin identifying children at risk of future unemployment, according to recommendations from a government review into youth worklessness. Former health secretary Alan Milburn, who is leading the review, stated that the earliest indicators of a child being at risk of becoming not in education, employment, or training (Neet) after age 16 are detectable from preschool.
The review, set to release its final report in the autumn, suggests that identifying these children early is crucial for intervention. "The warning signs are there from a very early, early age. Definitely primary schools should be identifying children who are at risk of being Neet," Milburn told The Guardian. He emphasized that secondary schools and other services should then step in to support these young people.
Milburn cited factors such as poverty, mental health issues, and being in care as correlated with an increased risk of a child becoming Neet. However, he noted a critical gap: "What we don’t do is take that knowledge and turn it into action."
The push to address youth worklessness comes as Prime Minister Andy Burnham has made curbing the number of Neets a central mission. The latest figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate that over a million young people aged 16 to 24 are currently Neet, the highest level in 12 years. Milburn's interim report warned that this number could climb to 1.25 million within five years, potentially costing the UK £125 billion annually.
The government is also exploring enhanced technical education pathways for younger students, intended to be as valued as traditional academic qualifications. Milburn indicated that welfare reform would be a significant part of the final report, but argued that a young person needing benefits signifies a failure in existing government policies. He stated, "We’ve got to turbocharge opportunities for young people, we’ve got to make it easier for young people to get a job."
Meanwhile, Education Secretary Lucy Powell has attributed the current Neet numbers to reforms made under the previous Conservative government, a claim that has drawn criticism from some in the Conservative party and education experts. Figures from the OECD show the UK's youth unemployment rate has risen from 13.8% in July 2024 to 16.4%.
