Inquiry to review rising levels of youth inactivity
The government is launching an independent review into rising levels of youth inactivity.
Former Labor Health Minister Alan Milburn will lead the investigation into ‘Neets’, short for one in eight young people not in education, employment or training.
The persistently high number of young people aged 16-24 leaving education or employment is an “opportunity crisis” that requires urgent action, according to Work and Pensions Minister Pat McFadden.
This is not a new problem, but the number of young people who are Neet has been increasing in recent years, approaching one million.
A quarter consider long-term illness or disability as a disability, and the number of people receiving health and disability benefits is also increasing.
The government says Alan Milburn’s review will investigate the reasons behind the rise and examine ways to reduce the long-term costs of youth inactivity and get young people off benefits and into work.
The results will be published next summer.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has called the wider welfare system unsustainable and unfair, but so far selling welfare reform to Labor supporters has proven a political minefield for Number 10.
The number of young people applying for the UC Health and Employment Support Allowance has increased by more than 50% in the last five years, according to the Department for Work and Pensions.
Nearly 80% of youth at UC Health currently report a mental health cause or neurodevelopmental condition.
When asked if he thought overdiagnosis was fueling a mental health crisis among young people, McFadden said: Quote from Sunday Times He said: “I don’t want to play amateur doctor. I want to approach this issue sensitively.
“The question I ask is what is the best policy response, given the higher reported rates of these disorders among young people. I do not believe there should be an automatic link between diagnosis and benefits.”
“If we can get this right,” he added, “the reward is huge: unlocking the pent-up potential of the next generation to transform lives and life opportunities, stimulate our economy and build a better future for everyone.
“We cannot afford to lose a generation of young people to a life of benefits with no job prospects and not enough hope.”
Milburn said his review would be “uncompromising” and would uncover any failings in employment support, education, skills, health and welfare.
“We cannot stand by and watch the young generation be condemned to an unemployed and hopeless life,” he said. “It is clear that urgent action is needed.”
