Context
In November 2025, the government appointed Alan Milburn to lead a review into the rising number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET). The NEU welcomes this commitment and emphasises that increasing NEET levels reflect structural failures, not a lack of motivation among young people. Tackling this means addressing the root causes of disengagement, including persistent absence, an overloaded curriculum and narrow assessment system, and long-term underinvestment.
Key facts
- NEET levels approached one million in 2025, highlighting systemic failings across health, education and social support.
- Any effective strategy must address why young people disengage from learning. Persistent absence, unmet needs and limited specialist support play a significant role.
- The curriculum is narrow and overloaded, driving disengagement and leaving students underprepared for life and work.
- High-stakes, single-mode assessments disadvantage many learners and fail to recognise essential skills.
- Disadvantaged groups, including Black students, learners with SEND and those facing poverty, are disproportionately affected.
- Chronic underinvestment has left schools running on empty, hindering young people’s participation in education, employment and training.
Key statistics
- 946,000 (1 in 8) young people were NEET as of late 2025, with rates rising for several consecutive years.
- Young people who are persistently absent are 3.9 times more likely to become NEET.
- Young people from Black Caribbean, Mixed Caribbean, Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Romani (Gypsy), Roma & Traveller communities face higher than average NEET rates.
Campaign asks
- Restore education investment to at least 5% of GDP.
- Deliver a broad, diverse, inclusive curriculum with multi-modal assessment.
- End mandatory GCSE resits in maths and English.
- Protect funding for high-quality applied general qualifications and phase the introduction of V-levels.
- Guarantee fully funded specialist careers guidance in all settings and invest in training for inclusive workplaces.
- Build reform with educators, ensuring solutions meet local needs.
References
• NEU call for evidence submission