Labour’s head of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issued a strong warning about the increasing number of young individuals not engaged in work, education, or training, emphasizing the urgency to address this issue as a national crisis. Pat McFadden, the Secretary for Work and Pensions, criticized the Conservative government for its failure to address this issue, which has been escalating since 2021.
Recent data shows that approximately 946,000 young people aged 16-24 were classified as not in employment, education, or training (NEET) between July and September 2025, representing over 12% of all individuals in that age group. McFadden stressed the importance of providing every young person with the necessary support and opportunities for success, highlighting the long-lasting negative impact of inactivity among young people that previous governments have neglected to tackle.
In response to this pressing issue, the government has launched the Job Guarantee scheme in six regions, including Birmingham & Solihull and Greater Manchester, aiming to offer subsidized job opportunities to 55,000 individuals aged 18-21 who have been on Universal Credit for 18 months. The DWP has cautioned that those who do not engage with the support system without valid reasons may face benefit sanctions, with plans for a nationwide rollout later in the year.
The government has secured commitments from over 60 companies, including Tesco and JD Sports, to provide jobs under the Job Guarantee initiative. Additionally, an independent investigation led by Labour veteran and former Health Secretary Alan Milburn is underway to address the issue of young people not in work, education, or training, with the final report expected to be published in the summer.
Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy criticized the Conservative government’s track record on this matter during a session standing in for Keir Starmer at PMQs, highlighting the significant number of young people left without opportunities by the previous administration.
