Nearly one million young people aged 16 to 24 are currently not engaged in employment, education, or training (NEET), sparking concerns that the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is inadvertently consigning them to a long-term dependence on benefits.
Between 2017 and 2019, approximately 11.5% of young people in this age group were classified as NEET. However, recent figures indicate a sharp rise in this statistic, highlighting a growing crisis among youth in the UK.
One claimant told The Telegraph, “They send you £300 a month and don’t ask how much your parents make. We’re all looking for jobs; I don’t know why everyone doesn’t sign up.” This candid remark underscores the challenging reality many face.
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According to DWP data, nearly one in twenty (4.6%) of those who turned 18 in 2020 have been on Universal Credit for their entire adult life—amounting to 34,047 of Britain’s 24-year-olds currently reliant on benefits for over five years.
The Office for National Statistics reports that 957,000 young people are NEET, with 327,432 actively receiving job-seeking benefits. Another young person shared their perspective with The Telegraph: “I’d love to be young again, but not in today’s world. I wouldn’t want to be young now, God!”
In response, DWP Secretary Pat McFadden has expressed a commitment to tackling youth unemployment by using new powers over skills policy aimed at addressing “wasted potential.” He emphasized that skills development and employment support must work hand in hand.
McFadden advocates for jobcentres to expand beyond conventional job search assistance, incorporating skills assessments and providing “clear routes” to both training and employment opportunities. His top priority is to increase engagement of young people in work or education, thereby preventing lost talent and unnecessary strain on the benefits system.
By integrating skills training into the department’s framework, McFadden believes the DWP can bring renewed energy and focus to solving the growing issue of youth unemployment and long-term benefit dependency.