UK Cities Face NEET Crisis: Over a Third of Young People Out of Work & Study
UK Cities Face NEET Crisis: Over a Third of Young People Out of Work & Study
New research reveals over a third of young people not in education, employment, or training (Neets) are concentrated in England's nine largest cities. Discover which cities are most affected and what's being done!
A recent study has shed light on a significant challenge facing England's youth: a large concentration of young people not in employment, education, or training (Neets) within the nation's biggest cities. Research from the Centre for Cities reveals that over a third of all Neets in England are found within just nine of its largest urban centres.
The study indicates that more than half of all young people in England who are currently disengaged from work or study reside in urban areas, highlighting a stark urban-rural divide. The figures show significant disparities across different regions.
London leads the country with the highest number of Neets, estimated at 117,100, which accounts for one in every six Neets across England.
Following closely are Birmingham with 45,000 and Manchester with 37,700 young people in the same situation.
Beyond sheer numbers, some cities face a disproportionately high percentage of their young population being Neets. Blackpool, for instance, has 21% of its young people classified as Neets, while Doncaster, Bradford, Middlesbrough, and Barnsley each have 17%. In contrast, York stands out with the lowest share at just 6%, followed by Nottingham (8%), and Bristol, Brighton, and Portsmouth (all 9%).
Rob Johnson, a senior analyst at the Centre for Cities, emphasized the localized nature of the problem. He stated,
Getting young people into work or training is a national challenge that will be won or lost in England's cities.
Johnson pointed out that while Birmingham faces a massive numerical problem, places like Blackpool grapple with a very high proportion of affected youth.
This suggests that a one-size-fits-all national approach is unlikely to succeed.
Johnson stressed the critical need for stronger local economies and empowered city leaders. He added, "Interventions will only get us so far if areas lack jobs or training places." He advocates for mayors to be given greater powers to address specific local barriers, whether these relate to skills development, access to training, or simply the ability for young people to reach jobs and courses from their homes.
