13.2% (over 900,000) of young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK are now not in education, employment, or training (NEET). That’s from July to September 2024 ONS data released this week. On the surface, it’s just a number. But dig a little deeper, and it tells a troubling story about the future of our workforce, economy, and communities.
Here in Cambridgeshire, I’m seeing this reality unfold on the ground. Every day, I hear from the team at Inspire 2 Ignite CIC who work with young people trying to find their way, schools and organisations stretched thin, and businesses that can’t find the talent they need. It’s a growing crisis that isn’t getting the attention it deserves and if we don’t act fast, the NEET population could exceed one million by April. We cannot afford to treat this as just another statistic, we need to see this as the emergency it truly is!
It’s easy to talk about NEETs in abstract terms, but let’s remember what this really means. Behind every percentage point are young people, many of them unsure of where they fit in the world. They’re navigating a perfect storm of challenges, from mental health struggles, economic uncertainty, and a rapidly evolving job market that doesn’t always match their skills or aspirations.
Take Fenland, for example, which already faces some of the highest levels of economic inactivity in the region. Here, we see young people who’ve been let down by a system that hasn’t adapted to their needs. They’re full of potential but lack the pathways to realise it. Mental health challenges are at an all-time high, and for many, these struggles are a huge factor as to why they’re out of work or education in the first place.
The pandemic made this worse, much worse. It left a generation of young people isolated, disconnected from their peers, and with fewer opportunities to build the resilience and skills they need. Now, they’re left with gaps in their CVs, confidence at an all-time low, and limited access to the kind of support they need to get back on track.
I have seen a huge champion of these issues, Stephen Greene CBE on media all week talking about this, he put it perfectly in the FE news when he said: "We are at a pivotal moment when it comes to the future of young people in the UK, and these figures are a visceral reminder of the work that still needs to be done. The one million young people not in employment, education, or training represent a swathe of ambition and potential that needs to be supported and nurtured, not stifled and forgotten."
That line, “a swathe of ambition and potential” sums it up for me. Every young person left behind represents missed opportunities, not just for themselves, but for all of us. Stephen went on to say: "If we get it right, this group will play a central role in the country’s future and lead us towards more prosperous times. Doing this requires a truly collaborative effort, between government and business, to develop a diverse range of avenues that young people can choose to follow in pursuit of their goals."
He’s absolutely right. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all issue. We need tailored solutions that recognise the unique challenges and strengths of each individual and location. We need to think bigger, broader, and faster if we’re going to turn this around.
Let’s be honest, the systems meant to support young people are overwhelmed. Schools, colleges, and youth organisations are underfunded and overstretched. The teaching workforce is under immense pressure, with school teachers now one of the hardest-to-recruit occupations. Here in Cambridgeshire, that strain is palpable, especially in areas like Fenland and Peterborough. If we can’t provide a strong foundation during those formative years, how can we expect young people to thrive later on?
Add to this the fact that job-related training has fallen to a record low. Employers are under pressure too, labour costs are rising, and training budgets are often the first to be cut. The result?! A growing divide between what businesses need and what young people are prepared to offer. It’s a cycle that feeds itself. Young people can’t get into work without the right connections, and businesses can’t afford to invest in training those who might otherwise fill the gap.
Why This Matters to All of Us
This isn’t just a youth problem, it’s an everyone problem. When we allow this many young people to disengage, the ripple effects touch every part of our society. Communities lose their vibrancy. Businesses struggle to grow. And the economy stagnates.
But there’s also a loss that’s harder to measure and most important to me, the missed opportunity of what these young people could achieve if we supported them properly. What innovations, creativity, and contributions are we missing out on? What kind of future could we build if every young person had the tools, confidence, and opportunities to succeed?
What Needs to Change
I don’t have all the answers, but I do know we can’t keep doing what we’re doing. The rate of change needs to match the scale of the problem, and right now, it simply doesn’t. Here’s what I think we need to focus on:
Investment in Youth Infrastructure: This means funding schools, training centres, and community spaces that help young people build skills, confidence, and networks.
Mental Health Support: Addressing the mental health crisis among young people is non-negotiable.
Skills-Based Training: Short, flexible courses aligned with market needs could make a real difference and they need to be in partnership with youth organisations and businesses.
Collaboration Between Sectors: Schools, businesses, and community organisations need to work together to create pathways for young people.
Get Unrestricted Revenue in to Where it is Needed: If a youth organisation is addressing the NEET crisis, get money into their hands to accelerate their mission!
What You Can Do
If you’re reading this and thinking, “What can I do?”, start by showing up. Whether you’re an employer, educator, parent, or community leader, you have a role to play in changing the trajectory of this crisis. Offer opportunities where you can. Advocate for funding and support. And most importantly, listen to young people, ask them what they need, and then act on it.
This isn’t a problem we can fix overnight, but we have to start to celebrate progress and give that progress more fuel. If we don’t, the number of NEETs will continue to rise, and the cost to our communities, economy, and future will only grow.
A Call to Action
Stephen Greene’s words resonate deeply with me: “The next generation can be the engine of a thriving and productive nation.” I see that potential every day in Cambridgeshire. The creativity, resilience, and drive that so many young people have. But potential needs support to turn into success. It needs investment, collaboration, and a willingness to reimagine how we do things.
We’re on the brink of surpassing one million NEETs in the UK. Let’s not wait until we’re in the thick of that crisis to act. Let’s start now, by investing in youth infrastructure, supporting mental health, and creating opportunities for every young person to thrive.
The future depends on it.
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