"Today's labour market data from the ONS shows that youth unemployment continues to rise. Over the past year, the unemployment rate for people aged 16-24 not in full-time education has increased from 11.4% to 13.3%. This reflects an additional 77,000 young people who are unemployed. Economic inactivity among young people not in full-time education remains persistently high. It now stands at 20.1%, equivalent to around one in five."
“Rising youth unemployment and inactivity is a pressing public policy challenge. Addressing the issue is not only essential for young people and their wellbeing but is key if Government is to deliver on its ambitious growth agenda. Research tells us that if we could reduce our NEET rate to match the Netherlands - the lowest in the OECD - we could see an additional 500,000 young people in employment and increase our GDP by £69 billion.”
“This month will see the launch of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in some regions across England; we await early learnings with interest and will continue to work with Government, employers and others, as the What Works Centre for Youth Employment, to help more marginalised young people get into good work.”
Visit our Data Dashboard for the latest youth employment data.
