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• Sun Nov 9 2025

Inquiry to review rise in young people not working or studying

20 hours ago Share Save Ben Wright, BBC Political Correspondent and Tabby Wilson Share Save

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An independent review into the rising number of young people not working or studying is being launched by the government. Former Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn will lead the inquiry into "Neets" - the acronym for young people who are not in education, employment or training. According to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, the persistently high number of 16-24 year olds falling out of education or work is a "crisis of opportunity" requiring urgent action. It is not a new problem but the number of young people who are Neet - now one in eight - has been rising in recent years and is approaching one million.

A quarter cite long-term sickness or disability as a barrier and the number claiming health and disability benefits is rising too. The government says Alan Milburn's review will dig into the reasons behind the rise and examine ways of cutting the long-term costs of youth inactivity and getting young people off benefits and into work. Its conclusions will be published next summer. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called the broader benefits system unsustainable and unfair but so far selling welfare reform to Labour backbenchers has proved a political minefield for Number 10.