An analysis by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) think tank indicates that, on average, four children from each Year 6 primary school classroom in Britain are projected to claim out-of-work benefits later in life. This figure represents an increase from an average of three over the past five years, highlighting a growing 'NEETs crisis'—a situation where young people are not in education, employment, or training.
The CSJ study found that the current educational system is disproportionately focused on university pathways, failing to adequately prepare young people for the demands of the workforce. The analysis highlights that over 100,000 individuals aged 21 are currently receiving Universal Credit and are unemployed.
The think tank warned that children who fall behind in primary school are at risk of entering a cycle of long-term unemployment. In the 2024/25 academic year, one in five Year 6 pupils, aged 10 and 11, did not meet the expected reading standard. The CSJ estimates that approximately 40,000 of these children could spend at least 12 consecutive months not in education, employment, or training during their early adult years.
By the time students reach their GCSE exams, there is a significant disparity between high and low attainers. While 96 percent of high achievers pass English and Maths, only 20 percent of low achievers do. This underscores the need for early interventions to prevent a pipeline to worklessness, including offering alternative educational paths for those better suited to vocational or technical careers.
Department for Education figures for 2024/25 show that 73 percent of Year 11 students passed their English and Maths GCSEs, an improvement from 52 percent in 2010/11. However, the CSJ criticized the prevailing 'uni or bust' mentality, noting that while 38 percent of young people pursue university after completing 16-to-18 education, only 7 percent enter apprenticeships.
Comparatively, a review by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn found that about 13 percent of UK individuals aged 16 to 24 are NEET. This rate is higher than in Germany, where it is 8 percent, and the Netherlands, where it is under 4 percent.
Dan Lilley of the CSJ emphasized the need to break this cycle, stating, "It's time to jam the conveyor belt sending young people straight from school onto out-of-work benefits. No child should be doomed to a life on the margins." He advocated for shifting focus away from an overemphasis on university education, expanding technical training similar to models in the Netherlands, and reforming educational incentives to improve employment outcomes for school leavers.