The Health Foundation responds to latest ONS figures on NEETs

Responding to the latest ONS figures showing that 13% of 16 to 24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training (NEET), Sam Atwell, Policy and Research Manager at the Health Foundation, said:

‘While today’s figures point to a slight fall in the number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in employment, education or training (NEET), they also show that too many young people are still struggling to establish themselves in work or education. Spending long periods neither earning nor learning can have lasting consequences for young people’s health, incomes and future opportunities. 

‘Poor health is an increasingly important part of this picture. Our figures show that nearly half of young people who are NEET now report a health condition that limits their ability to work, making it harder for many to find and sustain the right opportunity.

‘If we want to meaningfully prevent young people falling out of work or education, government needs to act earlier through stronger support in schools and better help to overcome barriers and find their next step. This must be matched by enough good entry-level jobs for young people to start and build their careers.

‘Alan Milburn’s final report into NEETs and Peter Fonagy’s review into the prevalence of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, both due to report this autumn, should prompt government to build a system that gives young people the support and opportunities they need to manage their health and participate in work or education.'

Media contact

Nadine Sheikh-Sobeh
Nadine.sheikh-sobeh@health.org.uk
020 8152 8120