North East sees highest youth unemployment in England
The North East of England has reported a staggering 17.3 per cent of young people aged 16-24 are classified as not in education, employment, or training (NEET), the highest rate in the country, reports BritPanorama.
This equates to approximately 50,000 young individuals in the region who are currently without a path towards education or employment. In comparison, the capital city London, which has the highest NEET total in absolute terms at 145,000, shows a lower rate of just 10.5 per cent.
Former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, now appointed as Labour’s work tsar, has flagged this issue as indicative of a potential “lost generation”. His upcoming review, set to be published this summer, aims to address the overarching causes and propose effective measures to combat the high rates of youth unemployment.
Milburn remarked, “Today 50,000 young people in my home region are not in education, employment or training. That’s not a failure of ambition; it’s a long-term failure to back our youngsters.” He emphasized the need for systemic support in the region, highlighting the importance of rebuilding pathways to skills and promising employment opportunities.
Milburn further articulated the urgency of government intervention, stating, “If we want young people to succeed, we have to end the postcode lottery and put serious backing into the places that shaped us.” His comments come amidst ongoing discussions about government actions aimed at improving youth employment outcomes. He affirmed that while current measures have begun addressing the issue, more aggressive strategies are essential to prevent what he termed a “lost generation”.
Additionally, he argued for inclusive practices in the labour market, insisting that young people with mental health challenges or autism must not be disregarded as future employees. Labour recently attempted to reduce the welfare bill by £5 billion but faced internal resistance, complicating efforts to introduce comprehensive employment reforms.
As the dialogue around youth unemployment intensifies, it highlights a need for a dedicated focus on fostering opportunities for young adults, particularly in regions like the North East where the challenges are most acute.
A concerted effort to address these disparities is crucial, balancing immediate governmental responses with long-term strategies to nurture the potential of the younger population.
