Burnham calls youth employment crisis an economic catastrophe

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 19 Oct, 08:19 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has called the nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training an 'economic catastrophe and moral failure'.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has described the situation affecting nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training as an 'economic catastrophe and moral failure'. According to the Office for National Statistics, almost one million people aged 16 to 24 fall into this category, known as Neets.

Writing in The Times, Burnham said the government must 'invest in the success of our young people' rather than 'pay for failure through the benefits system'. He argued that the current welfare system provides assessment and payment but offers no ongoing support, skills development or job opportunities. He identified multiple contributing factors including Covid lockdowns, social media affecting confidence, an education system focused on the university route, and insufficient job market opportunities.

The government is expected to announce plans this week to address the crisis. According to The Independent, these will include 22,400 apprenticeships a year made available by accountancy, legal services and consultancy firms for under-25s, with further jobs plans for digital, technology and defence industries expected later in the week. A report from former cabinet minister Alan Milburn on the Neet issue is expected to follow the Budget at the end of October.

How it is being reported

• Burnham: UK must end ‘moral failure’ of Neets crisisThe prime minister laid out his plans to end the ‘moral failure’ of youth unemploymentThe Independent · 19 Oct, 08:09
• Burnham says youth employment and training crisis is a 'moral failure'The UK faces "economic catastrophe" with one million young people not in work or training, the prime minister says.BBC News · 19 Oct, 02:40

In this story: Andy Burnham · UK · Office for National Statistics · Alan Milburn

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