An independent review into rising youth activity levels has been launched by the government.
Former Labor Health Secretary Alan Milburn will lead the inquiry into “Neetsy” – the acronym for one in eight young people who are not in education, work or training.
According to Work and Pensions Secretary Pat Mcfadden, the continued high number of 16-24 year olds dropping out of education or work is a “crisis of opportunity” that requires urgent action.
This is not a new problem but the number of young neet has been increasing in recent years and is approaching one million.
A quarter cite long-term illness or disability as a barrier and the number who claim health benefits and disability benefits also gain.
The government said Alan Milburn’s review will dig into the reasons for the rise and examine ways to cut the long-term costs of youth inactivity and get young people on benefits and into work.
Its conclusions will be published next summer.
The Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, called the wider benefits system unsustainable and unfair but so far the reform of business welfare in Number 10.
According to the Department of Work and Pensions, the number of young people claiming Health and Employment Support Allowance has risen by more than 50% in the last five years.
About 80% of young people in the Health Health element currently need mental health reasons or neurodejectmentment conditions.
Asked if he thinks overdiagnosis is fueling the youth mental health crisis, McFadden quoted on Sunday time As said: “I don’t want to play an amateur doctor. I want it to approach sensitivity.
“The question I’m asking is, given the higher reported number of conditions in young people, what is the best policy response? I don’t believe there is an automatic correlation between diagnosis and benefits.”
“If we get this right,” he added, “The reward is huge: changing the lives and potential of the lives of the next generation that will fire up our economy and build a better future for everyone.
“We cannot waste a generation of young people in a life of benefits, with no job prospects and not enough hope.”
Milburn said his review would be “uncompromising”, and would expose any failings in support for work, education, skills, health and welfare.
“We cannot stand by and allow a generation of young people to be consigned to a life without jobs or prospects,” he said. “It is clear that urgent action is required.”