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THE NUMBER of young people not in education, employment or training is set to reach nearly a million, according to new figures today.
Many of those classed as "Neet" could be "stuck in a rut" for years as they miss out on the economic recovery, said the Local Government Association.
In the first quarter of this year 935,000 people aged 16 to 24 were "Neets", the most since figures were first recorded in 2005, and up from 810,000 in the same period least year.
Those from white backgrounds were about 20 per cent more likely to be out of work or training than those from black and Asian families, while more women were affected than men.
The LGA blamed family breakdown and a history of unemployment among parents and called for earlier intervention to target children aged under 11. The report added that those over 19 were vulnerable as targets are focused on under-18s.
The LGA said councils should have more power to run their own training courses funded by local reductions in jobseeker's allowance payments.
Chairman Margaret Eaton said: "The nation seems set to have a million young people not in any form of education or work. That's a million stuck in a rut, not able to do something productive with their lives."
Reader views (9)
Carl from Dorset,
Unfortunately you are living the past. The majority of people of my Father's generation saw National Service as something to be proud of but nevertheless many individuals stuck two fingers up to the establishment and just misbehaved throughout and were ultimately chucked out. The Krays, Richardsons, Frankie Fraser et al spring to mind.
NS these days would just be a waste of time.
Even though my eldest has a job I would not advocate that any of my sons picked up a gun as my Father's generation carried them for six years to stave off the foreign invader and control from central Europe and look where we have ended up!
- Mark, South-East London, 01/07/2009 10:18
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Of course these ONE MILLION NEETS do not appear on the unemployed spin and waffle monthly figures.
THERE ARE OVER THREE MILLION UNEMPOLOYED IN THE UK NOW.
BY CHRISTMAS 2009 THERE WILL BE FOUR MILLION UNEMPLOYED IN THE UK.
IN 2010 THERE WILL BE FIVE MILLION UNEMPLOLYED IN THE UK.
MP'S COULD NOT CARE LESS.
Joe Public counts for nothing.
- Reuben Camara, Republic of Morecambe, UK, 30/06/2009 17:53
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Bring back Compulsory Service and make it Compulsory for roughnecks to have ten years National Service. That should get a lot of lags off the streets and doing something constructive to better themselves.
- Carl Barron, Christchurch, Dorset., 30/06/2009 17:35
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The success of the political correct Labour government.
- Joe, Swanley Kent, 30/06/2009 16:32
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i cant be bothered to work as i get benefits thrown at me , but it will soon stop if the immigrants are allowed to continue draining our systems
- Ketlan Osswoski, Morecambe, 30/06/2009 16:13
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Are these 800 - 900 thousand on any unemployment register, or do they not exist/count towards true unemployment figures?
- Alan, carlisle uk, 30/06/2009 15:45
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Government is more concerned about encouraging the illegals into the UK and making sure that all their needs are met.
As no one shall be discriminated against by any public authority on any ground. The law is now administered by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) set up by a Council of Europe summit held in Vienna in October 1993.
Except of course if you are a member of the indigenous population in the UK, well we are going through a recession and times are tough for all.
- William, Hay~Heath UK, 30/06/2009 15:17
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The LGA's assertion about the family circumstances of NEETS would only be correct if all employment was got as a result of nepotism. There is a huge unemployment issue in this country - blaming 'parents' is not the answer.
- Nora, London, UK, 30/06/2009 12:41
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Welcome to Labour's Britain!
- Peter, Wimbledon, 30/06/2009 12:34
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