Education Secretary Lucy Powell has announced a review into whether school teaching adequately prepares pupils for adult life, accusing the current system of trapping children in an academic "straitjacket" that leaves too many branded failures. Writing in The Times, she signalled a broader move to reverse reforms introduced by former education secretary Michael Gove, arguing his "one-size-fits-all" approach failed to suit all children and directly blamed him for the large number of young people now outside education, employment or training.

Powell said around one million young people who passed through the education system under Gove are now not in employment, education or training (Neet), calling this "his legacy" rather than a coincidence. The issue is a key priority for Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who plans to introduce technical education routes for 14-year-olds and universal credit bursaries worth up to £4,500 a year for apprenticeships; a May report by Alan Milburn warned Neet numbers could reach one in six by 2031. Separately, National Grid announced a £5 million fund aiming to help 5,000 young people into energy, construction and infrastructure jobs over five years, starting in 2027.