The United Kingdom is at risk of creating a 'lost generation' as nearly one million young people remain outside the workforce, education, or training, according to a government-commissioned review. The report warns that the situation could worsen significantly in the coming years if immediate measures are not implemented.
Rising Youth Unemployment
The review, commissioned by Prime Minister Keir Starmer last year, reveals that the unemployment rate among 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK has reached its highest level since 2014. Currently, approximately 900,000 young people are classified as NEETs—not in education, employment, or training. The report projects that without urgent intervention, this number could surge to 1.25 million by 2031, meaning nearly one in six young people may be left disconnected from the system.
Systemic Failures
Alan Milburn, the former Labour cabinet minister who led the review, emphasized that the crisis is not due to the shortcomings of young people but rather a system that is outdated and ineffective. “We are at risk of a lost generation,” Milburn stated ahead of the report’s presentation. “This is not a failure of young people. It is a failure of a system stuck in the past.” The report found that 84 percent of NEETs actually want to work or receive training, yet many struggle to secure even entry-level positions.
Decline in Traditional Youth Jobs
The review highlights a sharp decline in jobs traditionally held by young people, including roles in hospitality, weekend work, and apprenticeships. Many young people are unable to reach what the report describes as “the first rung of the career ladder.” Milburn added, “Whether it is education or health or welfare, that system fails to enable their participation in the labour market.”
Government Response
Prime Minister Keir Starmer described the findings as “sobering” and pledged that the government would not allow Britain to drift toward a lost generation. Speaking at a training facility in west London, where he met with apprentices, Starmer said, “This is a real sobering report, and we cannot afford, we will not allow, a lost generation.” He acknowledged that rising youth unemployment is a complex issue with multiple contributing factors and stressed the need for a comprehensive government response.
The review calls for urgent action to overhaul the education, health, and welfare systems to better support young people in entering the labor market. Without such reforms, the UK risks leaving a significant portion of its youth behind, with long-term economic and social consequences.
