More teenagers becoming 'Neets'

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More than one in 10 (10.3%) are now "Neets" - teenagers who are "not in education, employment or training" - up from 9.7% in 2007, according to Government figures for 2008.

The rise is likely to be due to the recession, as fewer jobs are available.

Government statisticians said the figure is down to "reduced employment amongst young people not in education or training".

The statistics did show an improvement in the proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds staying on at school or undertaking further training.

Almost eight in 10 (79.9%) continued their education in 2008, up from 78% in 2007, according to the provisional figures for England.

Critics have previously accused ministers of failing to cut the number of Neets since Labour came to power.

Tuesday's figures show there were fewer teenagers in the Neet category in 1997, than there are today. In 1997, the figure stood at 8.9%.

Children's charity Barnardo's said the current situation is "desperate" for young people leaving school at 16, and wanting to work or train in the workplace.

Chief executive Martin Narey said: "We urgently need a more relevant education system - with more vocational options for young people who are not suited to narrow, academic learning - and more opportunity to learn in the workplace, to gain the skills and experience that employers demand."