Almost one million young people are not in education, employment or training
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden and Prime Minister Andy Burnham (Image: Getty)
Labour was accused of “destroying” job opportunities for young people after new figures showed almost one million are not in education, employment or training. There were an estimated 981,000 so-called Neets, aged 16 to 24, in April to June, according to the Office for National Statistics.
The figure is down by 30,000 compared to the first quarter of the year, but it is still 30,000 higher than a year ago. The Tories blamed Labour’s national insurance hike for employers and the workers’ rights overhaul.
Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately said: “Something has gone badly wrong for a generation of young people. The opportunities that previous generations took for granted are not there in the way they once were.
“Labour have destroyed job opportunities for young people with their Jobs Tax and employment red tape. That has put the brakes on businesses hiring young people, giving us the highest youth unemployment in over a decade and nearly a million young people out of education, employment, or training.
“The Conservatives will back businesses to create jobs with tax cuts, boost apprenticeships, and reform welfare so young people are better off in work and we can get Britain working again.”
The total passed the one million mark earlier this year for the first time in more than a decade.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “We are determined to turn the tide on the youth unemployment crisis, which has been years in the making with the number of young people not in education, employment or training rising by 248,000 between 2021 and 2024.
“These latest figures underline why we are addressing youth inactivity as a priority.
“The Jobs Guarantee is already supporting those most in need with the first young people to be supported by the scheme now in work, and our wider £2.5 billion investment will help create almost a million opportunities to earn or learn. Further reform will follow the Milburn Review, which will report shortly.”
Former government minister Alan Milburn, who is leading a review on youth unemployment, said the figures were “a scar on this country”.
He added: “Young people are desperate for an opportunity to learn or earn. Instead, we’re creating a lost generation. They want to work – they just need a chance.
“My review will set out how that can be achieved so that young people get their futures back.”