Commenting on the latest data on the number of 16-24 year olds not in employment, education or training (NEET), Anton Roe, CEO at MHR says:
“There is a welcome downward move in NEET figures for January to March 2025, with a 0.3% fall year-on-year and a 0.9 point drop from the previous quarter. In real terms, 923,000 young people were NEET - 7,000 fewer than a year ago.
“However, the breakdown tells a more nuanced story. Unemployment-driven NEET numbers have risen by 21,000 in the last year to 354,000, while economic inactivity among NEETs still stands at 569,000, only 29,000 lower than January to March 2024. Highlighting that just focusing on overall job numbers won’t fix the problem completely.
“Sustained progress rests on equipping young people with the skills and confidence to thrive, and that’s where focus on learning and development is vital. As the government commits £1 billion to personalised employment training, businesses have a part to play too - embedding structured learning and development pathways, and championing on the job training.
“By opening up opportunities in the workplace like apprenticeships and internships, industry can help reduce economic inactivity and give young people a tangible route into work, to benefit both individuals and the wider economy.”
