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 not working or studying. Alan Milburn, Labour Health Secretary, will lead the inquiry into Neets - the term for young people who are not employed, employed, or trained. According to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, the persistently high number of 16-24 year olds dropping out of education or work is a crisis of opportunity that requires urgent intervention. It is not a new problem, but the number of young people who are Neet, now one in eight, has been on the rise in recent years and is approaching one million.

Long-term sickness or disability is a barrier, according to a quarter, and the number of people seeking health and disability insurance is on the rise. Alan Milburn's report, according to the government, will look at the reasons behind the rise and find out how to minimize the long-term costs of youth inactivity and getting 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, but Labour backbenchers' introduction of welfare reform has been a political minefield for Number 10.

According to the Department of Work and Pensions, the number of young people receiving UC Health and Employment Support Allowance has risen by more than 50% in the last five years. About 80% of young people on the UC Health factor currently have mental health issues or a neurodevelopmental disorder. McFadden was quoted by the Sunday Times as I don't want to play amateur doctor when asked whether over-diagnosis is fueling a mental health crisis among young people. I want to approach this with sensitivity.

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 health care. 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's firing 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 not enough optimism. Milburn's report would be uncompromising and reveal any employment-related, education, skills, health, and welfare in the United States.