What does NEET mean and why is Britain facing a ‘lost generation’ of 1.25m young people?

Britain is facing growing concern over the number of young people classified as “NEET”, not in education, employment or training, as experts warn the country could be heading towards a “lost generation”.A major review led by former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn has warned that the number of young people outside work and education could rise by 25 per cent to 1.25 million by the early 2030s unless urgent action is taken, according to a report by The Guardian.Milburn’s findings, due to be published on Thursday, are expected to warn that Britain risks creating a widening divide between younger and older generations if problems in education, healthcare, welfare and the jobs market are not addressed.The warning comes amid higher youth unemployment, worsening mental health problems, pressure on public services and fears over how artificial intelligence could reshape entry-level jobs.NEET stands for “Not in Education, Employment or Training”. The term is used to describe young people, usually aged between 16 and 24, who are not studying, working or receiving job-related training.Governments and economists use the figure to measure how successfully young people are moving into work.A rise in NEET levels is often linked to economic downturns, poor access to jobs, health problems and gaps in the education system.

The review links the increase to a combination of fewer entry-level jobs, mental health challenges and economic pressure.According to extracts released ahead of publication and reviewed by The Guardian, the report says young people are being failed by employers and the government as opportunities in sectors such as hospitality, leisure and retail continue to decline.Openings for first-time workers have reduced sharply in recent years, while apprenticeship starts among young people have fallen by 35 per cent over the past decade.The review also points to the decline of the traditional “Saturday job”, which once helped teenagers gain early work experience and enter the labour market.Mental health has become another major concern. Anxiety and depression, combined with long NHS waiting lists, have made it harder for some young people to stay in education or employment.Business groups have meanwhile warned that higher employment costs are discouraging companies from hiring younger workers.Tina McKenzie, policy chair of the Federation of Small Businesses, told The Guardian that soaring employment costs were “a major factor” behind the rise in NEET numbers.Milburn is expected to argue that the increase reflects deeper failures across education, healthcare and welfare systems rather than a lack of ambition among young people.