Commenting on the latest statistics from the Government on young people’s participation in education, employment or training and those not in education, employment or training (NEET), Daniel Kebede, General Secretary of the National Education Union, said;
“This data shows how too many young people are not getting the support they need. Today’s 16-24-year-olds had some of their most formative years disrupted by the Covid-19. It is unfair that now not only can they not access decent jobs, but that the situation is worsening.
‘The government must be ambitious with its Make Work Pay plans, and nurture good, secure, well-paid jobs. Rather than pulling the rug from under young people with cuts to welfare, the government should be bolstering their opportunities. Some government initiatives, such as the “right to try”, are steps in the right direction. However, by slashing support for our youngest and most vulnerable, the government is only going to further shut people out of education, employment and training.
‘We must see significant investment in the health and education of young people. They face inadequate mental health support, and a narrowing curriculum in a severely underfunded post-16 sector. The government must respond to the rising numbers of young people out of education and employment with strengthened health and education provision, and by nurturing paths into fulfilling careers”.