Slides: tackling youth employment

Policy levers and effective practices

The Office for National Statistics figures show there were around 987,000 young people aged 16 to 24 who were NEETS (not in employment, education or training) in October to December 2024, up from 877,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023 and the highest level since 2013. Research indicates that groups at risk of social and economic marginalisation are more likely to be NEET. 

This Public Policy Exchange event brought together educators, employers, employee representatives, youth organisations, policymakers and other stakeholders to provide an invaluable opportunity to discuss the rise in youth unemployment, examine the Labour government’s plans to support young people into work, and discuss how best to tackle youth unemployment, ensure young people are equipped with the skills and training needed to find long-term and productive employment, and enable equal access to the labour market across youth demographics.  

As a key speaker, Becci Newton's presentation takes stock of the latest data on youth employment and education. Young people in the labour force are facing long durations of worklessness and rising inactivity, and before they reach the labour market many are missing significant spells of education. Becci reflects on what we have learnt about providing youth employability support over many years, and considers what we might need in our toolkit to support better outcomes for those joining the labour force now and over the next few years.

This presentation also marks Youth Employment Week and raises awareness of the labour market issues facing young people.