# New analysis reveals there will be 250,000 more NEETs in five years unless action is taken

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/new-analysis-reveals-there-will-be-250000-more-neets-in-five-years-unless-action-is-taken/
- Published: 2026-11-12T17:53:46+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-12T21:11:03+00:00
- Original publisher: The Independent (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/neets-crisis-welfare-lib-dem-analysis-b3084111.html
- Topics: Politics

## Key points

- NEET numbers could reach 1.26 million by 2031.
- The projected increase could add £36 billion a year.
- Liberal Democrats propose work experience and personalised careers coaching.

## Summary

Analysis commissioned by the Liberal Democrats projects that the number of 16-to-24-year-olds not in education, employment or training could rise by 280,000 to 1.26 million by 2031, around one in six young people. The party says the increase would deepen an existing social and economic problem and is urging ministers to intervene earlier.

The analysis draws on Alan Milburn’s review, which estimates the current NEET crisis costs £125 billion a year; the projected rise could add about £36 billion annually. Nearly 981,000 young people are already NEET, 30,000 more than a year earlier. The Liberal Democrats propose guaranteeing each young person 100 hours of work experience or related activity, regular personalised careers coaching and changes to qualifications; polling cited in the article found 56 per cent had faced major obstacles finding work in the past year.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.