More than half of the UK’s 946,000 Neets have never worked, according to a new report that paints a stark picture of an 'anxious generation' struggling to adapt to the workplace. Alan Milburn, a former Labour health secretary and the government’s jobs adviser, will say this week that businesses must offer more flexibility and mental health support to stave off an 'economic catastrophe.'
The Scale of the Problem
In November last year, Milburn was asked by Prime Minister Keir Starmer to examine why almost 1 million 16- to 24-year-olds – about one in eight – were not in education, employment or training. This cohort, known as Neets, has become a central concern for policymakers. Milburn’s interim report, due to be published next week, will highlight that 'a rising tide of mental ill-health, anxiety, depression [and] neurodiversity' is a key driver of high economic inactivity among young people.
Impact of Social Media
The review is also expected to address the growing influence of social media on young adults' mental health. Milburn asserts that their brains have been 'rewired' by smartphones. 'The system is trapping people in worklessness rather than enabling them into work,' he told the Times. 'We’re at a risk of just writing a whole generation off.' He described them as a 'bedroom generation' who are 'on all the time, never off,' leading to functional impairment, disrupted sleep patterns, and reduced concentration levels that affect their ability to work.
Key Statistics
- More than half of the UK’s 946,000 Neets have never worked.
- A quarter are classed as unable to work due to long-term sickness or disability.
- Of these, 43% say mental health problems are the primary reason they cannot work, up from 24% in 2011.
- The UK has about double the number of Neets as Japan or Ireland, and three times as many as the Netherlands.
Long-Term Consequences
Unemployment under the age of 23 has been bluntly linked to lower wages even two decades later. Milburn’s report emphasizes that young people are 'different, not worse, not lazier, not less intelligent.' They have grown up in a digital world that has rewired how they communicate, form relationships, and manage stress. They have fewer experiences of workplaces and present with higher levels of anxiety and depression.
A Potential Solution
Milburn is expected to argue that Neets could present a solution for British businesses struggling to find skilled labour amid falling immigration. Figures released on Thursday showed that net migration to the UK dropped to 171,000 last year, compared with a peak of 891,000 in 2022. By integrating young people into the workforce, businesses can fill skill gaps while addressing the social crisis.
Broader Context
Earlier this week, Peter Hyman, a former headteacher and adviser to Blair and Starmer, said schools were becoming a 'pipeline' to worklessness and called for radical change, including a social media ban. The government has acknowledged that the proportion of Neets in the UK is significantly higher than in many other developed countries, underscoring the urgency of the situation.
Milburn’s report is a wake-up call for businesses and policymakers alike. Without significant reforms, the UK risks writing off an entire generation, with profound economic and social consequences.
