Thu, 27 Feb 2025

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 Number of young people not in work or education hits 11-year high

The latest figure of 987,000 16-24-year-olds not in work, education or training has risen by 110,000 in a year.
A record number of young people, nearly one out of every seven 16-24-year-olds, were not working or in education/training at the end of 2024, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics. This figure has risen by 110,000 over the past year and is the highest in 11 years. Young men are more likely than young women to be classified as "Neet" (not in education, employment or training), with an estimated 14.4% of male 16-24-year-olds falling into this category compared to 12.3% of females. The government's Youth Guarantee initiative aims to give every young person the chance to "earn or learn", but experts say that poor mental health is a major barrier for many Neet individuals. A recent survey found that nearly one in five young people had a mental health condition, and many feel anxious about their future. Community centres are playing a crucial role in supporting these young people, with some organisations offering free counseling and mentorship programs. However, experts say that more needs to be done to reach those who are not engaging with services. The government has relaxed some rules around apprenticeships for young people, but economists are calling for further action to guarantee level 2 or 3 apprenticeships and provide more supported internships and help for schools and colleges. A Department for Work and Pensions official said that the government is "determined that no young person gets left behind", but experts warn that time is running out.
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