A new report published by the Fabian Society this week estimates that 50,000 people aged 16-18 years old have fallen out of the support system for NEETs.
Its now feared that the number of young people classed as NEET (not in education, employment or training) could be much bigger than originally thought, as so many have ‘disappeared’ from official statistics.
National statistics recorded 148,000 NEETs in England alone at the end of 2013, but of these only 92,000 were identified by local authorities. The report also found that council records show a significant increase in the number of young people whose fate is ‘unknown’ once they leave education: up from 71,200 in 2010 to 162,000 in 2013.
When councils compile statistics on what young people leaving education do next, they assume that one in eight of those with an ‘unknown’ destination is a Neet. His research found the real figure is between one in three and one in two.
The reports authors and co-sponsors Impetus Trust-PEF have allo called for greater focus from the Government to tackle the NEET issue – specifically by ensuring more young people leave school with 5 A*-C grades (including English and Maths). Currently, 80% of NEETs lack these.
Our education system is failing the very people it is supposed to help, and is contributing to a already polarised generation of young people: those who have qualifications, and those who do not.
You can read Out of Sight, the Fabian Society report, on the organisation’s website.
Photo credit: Alamy