Milburn Review Warns 1 in 6 UK Young People Could Be NEET by 2031
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 27
Milburn Review Warns 1 in 6 UK Young People Could Be NEET by 2031
11 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 27
1.25 million people aged 16 to 24 could be out of work, education or training by 2031 unless urgent action is taken, according to Alan Milburn’s review.
16.2% youth unemployment—the highest since 2014—reflects systems Milburn says are no longer fit for purpose, with employers demanding experience as entry-level openings shrink.
957,000 young people were already classed as NEET in October-December 2025, or one in eight, and more than half were not looking for work.
£25 is spent on benefits for young people for every £1 on employment support, while low- and medium-skilled jobs have fallen by 1.6 million over 20 years and hospitality vacancies have halved in four years.
The government said it is already funding hiring incentives, apprenticeships and early-intervention support, with Milburn’s final report on solutions due later.
With youth sickness rates soaring, is the UK's NEET crisis an economic problem or a public health emergency?
As AI erases entry-level jobs, is Britain creating a lost generation or a new wave of digital entrepreneurs?
The UK spends £25 on benefits for every £1 on job support. Can this system be fixed without penalizing the vulnerable?
Nearly 1 Million Young People NEET in the UK: Causes, Consequences, and Urgent Solutions for 2026
Overview
The UK faces a persistent NEET crisis, with nearly a million young people not in employment, education, or training. Recent figures show a rise from the previous quarter, though slightly lower than last year, and reveal a clear gender gap. Experts warn that this problem is driven by complex pressures beyond short-term economic changes and will not simply improve as the economy recovers. The situation is made worse by declining entry-level jobs and increasing health challenges among young people. As a result, simple policy fixes are unlikely to work, and comprehensive, tailored support is urgently needed.