Inquiry to review rise in young people not working or studying
The government is funding an independent investigation into the increasing number of young people who are not working or studying. Alan Milburn, the former Labour Health Secretary, will lead the inquiry into NEETs—the term for young people who are 'not in employment, education, or training'.
According to the Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, the persistently high number of 16 to 24-year-olds dropping out of education or work is a 'crisis of opportunity' that requires urgent intervention. While not a new problem, the number of young people who are NEET—now one in eight—has been rising in recent years and is approaching one million.
A quarter cite long-term sickness or disability as a barrier, and the number of people seeking health and disability benefits is increasing.
The government stated that Alan Milburn's report will examine the reasons behind the rise and identify how to minimise the long-term costs of youth inactivity, aiming to get young people off benefits and into work. Its conclusions will be published next summer.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has branded the wider benefits system unsustainable and unfair; however, introducing welfare reform has been a political minefield for Number 10, even with Labour backbenchers.
According to the Department for Work and Pensions, the number of young people receiving the Universal Credit (UC) health element or Employment Support Allowance has risen by more than 50% in the last five years. Approximately 80% of young people receiving the UC health element currently have mental health conditions or a neurodevelopmental disorder.
When asked by The Sunday Times whether over-diagnosis is fuelling a mental health crisis among young people, McFadden was quoted as saying: 'I don't want to play amateur doctor. I want to approach this with sensitivity.'
He continued: 'What is the right policy response under these circumstances among young people? Given the increased number of these conditions among young adults, what is the correct policy response? I don't think there should be a direct correlation between diagnosis and healthcare.'
'If we get this right,' he said, 'the reward is huge, changing lives and life chances, with the pent-up possibility of the next generation fuelling our economy and building a better future for all. We cannot afford to lose a generation of young people to a life on welfare, with no work prospects and a lack of optimism.'
Milburn's report would be 'uncompromising' and reveal any employment-related, education, skills, health, and welfare failings.
'We cannot afford to sit by and watch a generation of young people be condemned to a life without work or prospects,' he said. 'It's clear urgent action is needed.'
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