Spiralling NEET Numbers: Why Over a Million Young People Are Missing from Work and Education

The UK is facing a persistent youth employment crisis, with over a million young people aged 16 to 24 currently not in education, employment or training. Unlike their European counterparts, British young people have not recovered from the economic disruption of the Covid pandemic, leaving a generation vulnerable to long-term economic inactivity and scarred prospects. Investigative reporting reveals the human cost behind these statistics, with young people describing how they have applied for thousands of jobs without success. The shift towards AI-driven recruitment screening and remote application processes appears to be systematically excluding first-time jobseekers from the labour market, leaving many demoralised and disconnected from meaningful opportunity. For local authorities tasked with supporting young people into positive destinations, this trend poses urgent questions about how to rebuild pathways into work. As skills and employment leaders, councils must examine how local economies can offer genuine stepping stones for the next generation, ensuring that the transition from education to employment remains accessible to all young people, regardless of background.