The UK government is set to unveil measures to combat youth unemployment, targeting the nearly one million young people currently not in employment, education, or training (NEET).
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has warned the UK faces an “economic catastrophe and moral failure” due to the growing number of NEETs. An upcoming report by former cabinet minister Alan Milburn is expected to recommend Chancellor John Healey redistribute welfare spending directly into targeted employment and mental health support. His intervention comes in the run up to his first budget at the end of October.
Describing the NEET crisis as a “youth detachment” problem, Milburn highlighted that 60% of these Neets have never held a job. A government-commissioned review in 2026 estimated the combined economic, fiscal and social consequences linked to almost a million NEET young people at £125 billion a year.
To address this, the Prime Minister has pledged to guarantee upfront support and training, a move that would deliver the greatest impact in the North East, where Department for Education data shows NEET rates well above the national average, at 21%. By contrast, regions like the South West (9.9%) and South East (11.5%) see far lower figures.
The data team at Polimapper has visualised NEET figures among 16-17 year olds by local authorities in England. Blackpool sees the highest rate at 7.6%, while also ranking as the most deprived local authority in the country and seeing well above average numbers of 16 year olds in receipt of mental health support.
Conversely, London boroughs see the smallest NEET prevalence at the local authority level, with Barnet only recording 0.6% of its 16-17 year old population not in employment, education nor training.
A report from the Joseph Rowntree Foundation highlights that “the quality and availability of support to young people out of education or work needs urgent improvement,” calling for a secure safety net rather than one weakened by cuts.
Dr Bruno de Oliveira, Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, wrote in a letter that “research on young workers shows that social disadvantage shapes who gets the contacts, confidence and career knowledge needed to find sustainable work. The psychology of unemployment shows how much belonging, control and meaningful activity matter.”
