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Britain has faced a growing risk of a “lost generation” as the number of young people not at work, in education, or in training continues to rise, a government-commissioned review warned on Thursday.
New data shows that more than one million young people aged 16 to 24 in the United Kingdom (UK) are currently classified as NEETs, not in employment, education, or training, which is the highest level recorded since 2013.
The government report says the situation could worsen, with the number potentially rising to 1.25 million within the next five years, meaning one in every six young people could be affected if no action is taken.
Speaking on jobless youth in the UK, former Labour minister Alan Milburn, who led the review, said: “We are at risk of a lost generation. It’s a warning that far too many young people are reaching adulthood only to find the door to opportunity closed.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer also described the report as “sobering” and said the government will work on solutions to improve opportunities for young people.
The report also found that many young people want to work but struggle to find entry-level jobs such as hospitality roles, apprenticeships, and part-time work that fit their circumstances.
One young job seeker, Faith, a 22-year-old in southwest England, told AFP that she struggled to find even part-time work as she neared the end of her master’s degree in criminology.
“I was applying everywhere in town, coffee shops, pubs, but they just ignore you,” she said, adding that the process made her feel “very anxious” about the future. A lot of people go to university because it’s meant to help you get a job, but I haven’t seen that personally,” she said.
Another young woman, Shana Fatahali, aged 23, who has spent the past two years searching for work in England’s West Midlands, said, ” Young people do want to get out there and have a job. A lot of the older generation are stuck in the mindset that you fill out your CV, hand it in, and you’ve got a job just like that. But times have moved on since then,” she told AFP.
The review also highlighted mental health challenges as a major factor contributing to youth unemployment. Experts warn the issue could cost the UK economy around £125 billion annually in lost productivity, taxes, and increased welfare spending.
Business leaders and youth organisations have called for urgent action, describing the situation as a serious warning for policymakers.
