The latest statistics released by the Office for National Statistic today (19 November 2020) show 757,000 young remain not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Youth Futures Foundation’s Director of Impact and Evidence, comments:
‘The latest figures from government out today show that 757,000 young people aged 16-24 in the UK were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in July to September of this year. Although this number is low historically, that’s still three quarters of a million too many young people being locked out of the opportunity to work, learn or progress. The numbers remain low because more young people are staying in or returning to education rather than trying their luck in the uncertain waters of the COVID labour market.
‘It’s better news for 16-17 year olds in particular, who have seen a fall in the risk of being NEET from 4.2% to 3.2%. However, there has been a big rise in the number of 18-24 year old men who are unemployed – going up from around 170,000 to nearly 230,000, an increase of over a third. Young people’s prospects remain grim, and a lot is riding on the government’s Kickstart scheme to provide the safe harbour of a six month, paid placement to weather the current storm.’
