More than one million 16 to 24-year-olds in the UK were not in employment, education or training (NEET) in the first three months of 2026, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
An estimated 1,012,000 young people were classed as NEET between January and March, an increase of 55,000 compared with the previous quarter. This means around 13.5% of all 16 to 24-year-olds are currently outside work, education or training — the highest level recorded since the end of 2013.
The increase was mainly driven by young men, with 14.4% falling into the NEET category. The ONS said the rise was linked to more young people no longer actively looking for work.
Former health secretary Alan Milburn criticised the education and skills system in a new report, arguing it is designed to produce qualifications rather than prepare young people for employment. He said schools and colleges should be judged more on what happens to students after they leave education, rather than simply student numbers or exam results.
Milburn also highlighted the gap between universities and further education colleges, saying universities benefit from uncapped funding while colleges are more tightly controlled and often receive less financial support.
He rejected suggestions that immigration is the main cause of rising youth unemployment, saying his review found “no evidence” of a direct link. Instead, he blamed a lack of suitable training opportunities and fewer entry-level jobs for young people entering the workforce.
