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Recession blamed for soaring number of teenage drop-outs
Tim Ross16 Jun 2009
One in six 18-year-olds has dropped out of education and work, figures showed today.
Soaring levels of youth unemployment in the recession were blamed for the fact that 207,800 teenagers aged 16 to 18 were classed as Neets (not in education, employment or training) last year.
This was 12,000 more than the previous year and nearly 50,000 more than in 1997 when Labour came to power.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls acknowledged that the figures were “disappointing” but insisted teenagers who dropped out were not abandoned.
The statistics reflect cuts in jobs for low-skilled school-leavers during the recession, say analysts.
The figures showed:
■ A total of 16.6 per cent of 18-year-olds — 114,000 — were Neets last year.
■ Among 16 to 18-year-olds, the drop-out rate was 10.3 per cent, an increase from 9.7 per cent in 2007, and 8.9 per cent in 1997.
■ Ministers are moving further from their target to cut the Neet rate to 7.6 per cent by next year.
Children's charity Barnardos described the situation as “desperate” for those leaving school at 16 and wanting to work or train in the workplace.
Chief executive Martin Narey said: “There are two clear trends: a steady rise in the number of young people staying on in full-time education, and the steady decline in employment and work-based learning opportunities.
“We urgently need a more relevant education system — with more vocational options for young people who are not suited to narrow, academic learning.”
Lib-Dem schools spokesman David Laws said the figures would “only get worse” as the recession continues.
“Ministers have let down thousands of young people by failing to improve standards in schools and colleges,” he said.
However, the Government said 88 per cent of 16 and 17-year-olds were staying in school or training.
All teenagers will have to be in education or training until they are 18 from 2015.
Mr Balls said ministers had announced £655 million to “guarantee” every 16 and 17-year-old an A-level, diploma or apprenticeship place.
Reader views (2)
No,no,I'm not having that.You can't blame the recession for Britains idle youth.They were drop outs long before the recession.
- Steve, London, 17/06/2009 08:19
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If one considers the current situation in other countries (like Iran and Morocco) where the vast majority of teenagers are unemployed and disaffected, it follows that there will be one almighty uprising of these youngsters in the UK in the future.
Forget what Balls is spouting - more spin and waffle.
Labour have now had 12 years to sort this country out. WHAT precisely have Labour done during those 12 years? They have destroyed the NHS. They have installed more CCTV cameras than in any other country on the planet. They have removed countless freedoms from Joe Public - freedoms that 400,000 men and women gave their lives for in WW2. They are building an DNA database by stealth - which holds over 1,000,000 INNOCENT PEEPS' profile.
You cannot blame teenagers for turning into NEETS.
You can blame MP's - who have done absolutely NOTHING for the UK - except to grab their obscene expenses.
I am eagerly looking forward to joining the other 40,000,000 peeps when they decide enough is more than enough of this lousy government and its wholesale negativity and a march is organised on Downing Street.
There will be 3,000,000 teenagers at the front of the queue.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe UK, 16/06/2009 15:19
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