Key facts
- The UK government has identified 32,100 16- to 17-year-olds not in education, employment, or training (Neet) whose whereabouts are unknown.
- Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson is demanding councils improve their tracking and support for vulnerable teenagers.
- New guidance for schools and colleges will be issued to help identify at-risk pupils.
- Data collection on Neet individuals varies significantly across England, leading to unequal support.
- An estimated 57,000 16- to 17-year-olds are currently Neet.
The UK government is calling for a significant improvement in how local authorities and schools in England identify and support teenagers at risk of becoming Not in Education, Employment, or Training (Neet). Official figures reveal that councils have no information on the whereabouts of 32,100 individuals aged 16 to 17, raising concerns that vulnerable young people are missing out on crucial support.
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has written to all councils, urging them to enhance their identification processes and demanding improvement plans from the 26 councils facing the most significant challenges, where 3% or more of teenagers are unaccounted for. These plans are expected within six months, with the government providing new tools and guidance.
This initiative comes against a backdrop of a worsening youth jobs crisis. A report by former health secretary Alan Milburn warned of a potential "lost generation" due to a dramatic rise in Neets to over one million. The quality of data collection varies widely across England, creating what ministers described as a "stark postcode lottery" for young people seeking assistance. For instance, North Lincolnshire council lacks information on nearly half of its 16- and 17-year-olds, while some London boroughs have much more complete records.
Overall, an estimated 57,000 16- and 17-year-olds are currently classified as Neet. Phillipson emphasized that accurate and timely tracking is essential for early intervention and ensuring young people have access to opportunities for training and stable careers, calling it a defining challenge for the government.