Former Health Secretary Alan Milburn has issued a stark warning regarding the escalating crisis of young people Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEETs), asserting that the issue has been "swept under the carpet" for far too long. Delivering his interim findings at a press conference held today at the Boxing Futures charity headquarters in Peterborough, Milburn painted a grim picture of a nation lacking both a coherent system and a viable plan to address what he described as a "chronic problem" leading to profound "youth detachment from the labour market." He cautioned that this detachment is becoming increasingly permanent, risking the emergence of a "lost generation" as the proportion of NEETs is projected to rise from one in eight to one in six.
Milburn’s independent review into young people and work was commissioned by the Labour government in November 2025, underscoring the bipartisan recognition of the severity of the challenge facing the nation’s youth. His preliminary observations highlight a multifaceted crisis exacerbated by societal shifts, economic pressures, and systemic failures across key institutions. The final recommendations of his comprehensive review are anticipated later this year, promising a detailed roadmap for systemic reform.
The Deepening Crisis of Youth Detachment
The term NEET, coined in the United Kingdom in the late 1990s, refers to young people aged 16 to 24 who are not engaged in any form of education, employment, or training. Initially used to monitor social exclusion, the concept has become a critical indicator of youth welfare and economic potential. Milburn’s report suggests that the problem, far from being transient, is calcifying, with alarming implications for individual futures and national prosperity. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) frequently monitors NEET rates, which can fluctuate due to economic cycles and policy interventions. Recent trends, including those prior to and following the COVID-19 pandemic, have shown periods of volatility. While precise current figures vary, Milburn’s projection of a rise from one in eight to one in six indicates a significant and worrying deterioration, potentially translating into hundreds of thousands more young people excluded from productive pathways.
A critical aspect of Milburn’s findings addresses the mental health crisis among young people, which he identifies as a significant impediment to economic growth. The COVID-19 pandemic has undeniably compounded pre-existing mental health challenges, leading to increased anxiety, depression, and social isolation among adolescents and young adults. Milburn stated that for the first time in history, changes in mental health are actively hindering economic growth, creating a "vicious circle that isn’t being broken." This recognition moves beyond traditional economic analyses, integrating a crucial social determinant of workforce participation and productivity.
Crucially, Milburn vehemently rejected the notion that this generation lacks determination or resilience, or is simply not interested in work. Having interviewed numerous young people across the country, he found their aspirations and aptitudes were often high, but the "system is no longer working" to harness them. This refutation challenges a pervasive stereotype that can often deflect blame from systemic failures onto individuals, thereby obstructing meaningful policy responses.
A System in Disarray: Milburn’s Core Diagnosis
Milburn’s core diagnosis points to a profound dysfunction across the foundational pillars of education, health, and welfare, arguing that these systems are demonstrably failing to prepare young people for employment. He detailed specific shortcomings within each area:
Education: The former Health Secretary criticised an education system that prioritises exam passing over the practical preparation of individuals for the world of work. He called for a fundamental rebalancing, advocating for significantly higher levels of career guidance and work experience opportunities. The United Kingdom, he pointed out, lags behind many international counterparts in providing adequate work experience, leaving young people ill-equipped for the realities of professional life. This deficiency creates a significant gap between academic achievement and vocational readiness, leaving many graduates and school leavers struggling to navigate the job market.
Welfare: The welfare system came under severe scrutiny for its focus on "income replacement" rather than actively assisting individuals into employment. Milburn described this as "shocking," arguing that the system effectively "pays for what people can’t do rather than helping them develop." He cited a particularly disturbing statistic: more than half of individuals aged 16-24 who claim benefits remain on benefits 15 years later. This figure highlights a systemic failure to break cycles of dependency, trapping young people in long-term unemployment and marginalisation, with significant human and economic costs.
Milburn elaborated on the structural flaws that underpin these failures, stating, "Responsibility is shared among a bewildering number of organisations. Confusion reigns, data is not shared. The architecture itself is the problem." He argued that layering new initiatives onto a fundamentally broken system merely exacerbates existing problems, providing only temporary and partial solutions without addressing the root causes. This critique extends to well-intentioned past programmes like the New Deal and Kickstart, which, while offering short-term relief, failed to embed lasting systemic change.
The Economic and Social Toll: Supporting Data and Trends
The implications of a rising NEET population are far-reaching, impacting not only the individuals directly affected but also the broader economy and social fabric of the nation.
Economic Impact: A significant NEET cohort represents a considerable loss of potential productivity and innovation. Economically, each young person out of education, employment, or training costs the exchequer through welfare payments and lost tax revenue, while failing to contribute to the national GDP. Estimates from various economic think tanks suggest that the annual cost of youth unemployment and inactivity runs into billions of pounds. Furthermore, long periods of unemployment early in life can lead to "scarring effects," resulting in lower wages, poorer health outcomes, and increased likelihood of future unemployment throughout an individual’s career. The looming "AI revolution," as Milburn noted, adds another layer of complexity, potentially displacing certain jobs and requiring a more adaptable, skilled workforce – a challenge that an unprepared youth population will struggle to meet.
Social Impact: Beyond the economic metrics, the social costs are profound. Youth detachment can lead to increased social exclusion, reduced civic participation, and higher risks of mental health issues, substance abuse, and even criminal activity. The feeling of being ‘left behind’ can erode self-worth and foster disillusionment, potentially leading to broader societal fragmentation. Parents, as Milburn noted, are "more worried than ever about young people’s prospects for the future," reflecting a widespread societal anxiety about the next generation’s opportunities.
Mental Health Data: Milburn’s emphasis on mental health is critical. Recent surveys, such as those conducted by the Mental Health Foundation or YoungMinds, consistently report high levels of mental health distress among young people in the UK. Post-pandemic data frequently indicates spikes in anxiety and depression among adolescents and young adults, impacting their ability to engage with education or the job market. The link between mental health challenges and NEET status is well-documented, forming a significant barrier to engagement and progression.
Work Experience Data: The UK’s lower levels of work experience provision compared to international peers, such as Germany or Switzerland with their robust apprenticeship systems, put British youth at a disadvantage. Data from organisations like the OECD or Eurostat often highlight these disparities, underscoring a systemic gap in practical skills development and career exposure.
A Call for Collective Action: Beyond Blame
Milburn firmly advocated for a collaborative, multi-stakeholder approach, explicitly rejecting a "blame game" between the supply and demand sides of employment. He stressed that "education, welfare, businesses, charities, governments etc. were all in this together." In response to a query from Channel 4 News, he asserted, "everyone gets it. Business leaders get it. It’s about what society does… it’s not just government. Charities, businesses, government, councils… all must be involved. Employers are absolutely critical."
He highlighted the necessity of maximising incentives for employers to engage with young people, acknowledging that Britain has experienced "jobs booms that have bypassed young people." This suggests a need for targeted policies that encourage businesses to invest in youth training, apprenticeships, and entry-level positions, ensuring that economic growth translates into opportunities for the most vulnerable segments of the workforce.
The collective responsibility framework proposed by Milburn implies a paradigm shift away from fragmented efforts towards a coordinated national strategy. This would necessitate improved data sharing, integrated service delivery, and a common vision across disparate organisations, from local authorities to national government departments and private sector entities.
Policy Landscape and Future Recommendations
Milburn’s review arrives at a time when the government has already introduced new measures to address the NEET crisis. He acknowledged these initiatives, including the "Youth Guarantee" which promises young people access to an apprenticeship, training, or a job placement, as a "good start" and indicative of ministers "making the right steps." He specifically lavished praise on Charlie Mayfield, who was present at the announcement, for his "brilliant work" in this area.
However, Milburn stressed that these measures, while welcome, are insufficient to tackle the deep-seated structural issues. He reiterated that a "fundamental change was needed," asserting that "if there was ever the case for mission-based government, this was it." This call for a "mission-based government" suggests the need for a sustained, cross-departmental, and long-term commitment, akin to national missions seen in other policy areas, rather than a series of ad-hoc programmes. Such an approach would involve setting clear, ambitious targets, allocating dedicated resources, and establishing robust accountability mechanisms to ensure progress.
The interim findings serve as a prelude to Milburn’s full recommendations, which will be presented later this year. These recommendations are expected to outline concrete strategies for reforming the "architecture" of support for young people, addressing the identified failures in education, welfare, and employer engagement.
Implications for Britain’s Future
The challenge posed by the deepening NEET crisis extends beyond immediate economic concerns, touching upon the very future of Britain’s social cohesion and international competitiveness. A sustained failure to integrate a significant proportion of its youth into productive roles risks creating a permanently disadvantaged underclass, exacerbating social inequalities and straining public services.
Milburn’s review underscores the urgency for a comprehensive, strategic, and sustained national effort. His emphasis on shared responsibility and systemic reform suggests that piecemeal solutions will no longer suffice. For Britain to thrive in an increasingly complex global economy, particularly as the "AI revolution" gathers pace, it must invest in its human capital, ensuring that every young person has the opportunity to develop their skills, realise their potential, and contribute to society. The forthcoming final recommendations from Alan Milburn’s review will therefore be critical in shaping the national response to one of the most pressing societal challenges of our time.
