JUST under one million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training – or ‘NEETS’ – according to data published ahead of a major report about a ‘lost generation’.
The latest data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) suggests 981,000 people aged 16 to 24 were NEETS between April and June. That is about one in eight people in that age group.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said the UK labour market was ‘in a robust position’ but there had been ‘a long-term challenge for young people’.
He said: ‘We’ll have proposals, legislation, if necessary, to take those forward.’
The rise in the number of NEETS between April and June compared to the same time last year was largely an increase among men. An extra 25,000 men were estimated to be NEETS, compared to another 4,000 young women.
In May, the first part of Milburn’s report, which was commissioned by the government, said the reasons for the rise in rates among men were ‘complex’, but could be down to more health issues, the ‘erosion of traditional employment routes’ and ‘a growing gap in educational outcomes’.
The final instalment of a major report is expected to set out recommendations for ‘tackling the problem’ in the coming weeks.
Young people could see reductions to the benefits they are entitled to under a radical overhaul of the welfare system to be recommended by a government-commissioned review.
He said on Wednesday night that his plans would not be ‘pain-free’ and would affect both existing and new claimants.
His report is expected to say that under-25s should no longer be able to claim the health element of universal credit or personal independence payment (PIP).
Instead, they would receive an allowance on the same basic rate as universal credit. Some claimants would receive less under the plans! Although the exact amounts will not be clear until early next year, when the government publishes legislation to implement the changes.
People can claim PIP to help them with the additional cost of being disabled or living with long-term physical or mental health conditions. It is available to those both in and out of work.
Of the four million people claiming PIP in England and Wales, around 430,000 are aged between 16 and 24.
In his interim report, Milburn said that 19% of young people claiming disability or health benefits were in work.
Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook said he could not confirm what was in report, but he backed the ‘principle’ of providing more intensive employment support to those out of work.
‘The Prime Minister has been very clear the status quo isn’t working – we need a new settlement for young people … tinkering will not do it,’ he added.
The reforms would represent a radical overhaul of Britain’s welfare system, at a time when there is heavy political pressure for the UK to find the money to spend more on defence.
However, if Milburn’s recommendations were approved, it could take almost a decade for the British state to see monetary savings.
It is clear that young people are being expected to bear the brunt of the crisis of this capitalist system.
This government makes no demands on the huge profits of the oil companies, of big business or the banks.
Calls to ‘tax the rich’ is basically an empty slogan as it’s the rich that run capitalism.
It needs the working class to act to defend its youth by forcing the TUC to call a general strike to bring down this bankrupt system and its pro-capitalist government and establish instead a workers government and a planned socialist economy.
Only then would there be enough resources, by nationalising big business and the banks, to provide the means to help young people wherever it is needed.
The burden would no longer fall on the most vulnerable in society but instead create conditions where everyone could have a decent life and a future to look forward to.