A major review has issued a stark warning: one in six young people will find themselves out of work, education, or training in just five years unless urgent measures are put in place. Alan Milburn, the former minister who authored the review, stated that the current education, health, and welfare systems are “no longer fit for purpose” when it comes to preparing young individuals for adult life. He emphasized the risk of a “lost generation,” predicting that by 2031, around 1.25 million 16 to 24-year-olds could be jobless or unengaged in any form of training.
Now, let’s talk numbers. The unemployment rate for young people aged 16 to 24 stands at a staggering 16.2%, the highest it’s been since 2014. Just think about that for a sec: this rate is more than three times the general unemployment figure of 5%. Milburn was brought in to figure out why so many young people are labeled as NEETs—those Not in Education, Employment, or Training. According to the latest stats from the UK, there were 957,000 young NEETs from October to December 2025. That’s roughly one in eight people in that age group! But get this: more than half of these young folks aren’t even looking for work.
Milburn’s warning is clear—if no action is taken, that number could swell to 1.25 million, or one in six young people, over the next five years. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, who commissioned this report, expressed his commitment to saving a generation from unemployment. He highlighted the government’s plans to incentivize businesses to hire young people and the creation of more apprenticeships. Yet, he admitted, “But we know there is more to do.”
The findings from Milburn’s review have stirred quite the conversation. He noted that for every £1 spent on employment support for young people, a whopping £25 goes to benefits. And contrary to popular belief, it isn’t that young people don’t want to work; in fact, 84% of surveyed NEETs say they desire a job or training. Milburn argues that the youth unemployment crisis isn’t on the young people themselves, but rather a system stuck in outdated practices. “This is not a failure of young people. It is a failure of a system stuck in the past,” he plans to say in his upcoming speech.
Stories from young individuals like Zaynah and Luke highlight the struggles faced by many. Zaynah, just 24, has been out of work since leaving college due to health issues, applying for over 200 jobs with no responses. She mentioned, “Getting a job is very hard because with my issues, I haven’t got that much experience.” On the other hand, Luke, a product design graduate from Central St Martin’s, has sent out more than 400 applications but landed only one interview for a cleaning position which he didn’t get. “You think, ‘I’ve got all the knowledge and skills, all I’m waiting for is a job to put it into practice.’ It makes you depressed,” he shared.
Meanwhile, Rocky, who was out of work for a year, eventually found a role at Nando’s as a waiter. Fast forward three years, and he’s now an assistant manager. “I’m 23 years old, and I’m a manager at Nando’s. I feel happy with myself,” he said, crediting his success to mentorship from his manager and support from the youth charity Spear.
The report also revealed alarming trends: in the past 20 years, low- and medium-skilled jobs in the UK have decreased by 1.6 million, while higher-skilled positions have surged by 6.3 million. The hospitality sector, which has traditionally provided entry-level roles for young people, has seen vacancies cut in half over four years. Lord Simon Wolfson, CEO of Next, noted a dramatic increase in applicants per vacancy, rising from 10 to 19 in just two years.
Rain Newton-Smith, head of the Confederation of British Industry, lamented the situation as a “tragic waste of potential” and emphasized the need for reforms to reduce job creation costs in the UK. Some employers argue that higher minimum wages and taxes make it harder to employ young workers, while the government defends its tax policies as necessary.
The Conservative Party criticized Labour for being more focused on its internal politics than addressing this “generational crisis.” Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary Helen Whately claimed that Labour’s policies have only made it harder for young individuals to step into the workforce, asserting that their piecemeal work programs are insufficient.
In the end, Alan Milburn’s review underscores the urgent need for reforms to address the staggering number of young people not engaged in work or education. As the landscape continues to shift, the question remains: how will we turn this tide and ensure a brighter future for the next generation?
Kaynak: Orijinal Haber