The number of young Brits who have never worked has surged as concern soars about youths who are not in education or employment. Just 38% of people born between 1981-1985 had never worked by age 17 but this was the case for 65% of those born between 1996-2000.
This is partly due to the requirement to stay in education until age 18. The share of 16 to 17-year-olds in full-time education has increased from three-quarters in 2005 to 86% this year.
But there are worries for the one in 20 young people who are not in education, work or training – the so-called “Neets”. The Resolution Foundation warns a “steady share of young people are falling out of education prematurely and not finding jobs”, with 75,000 16-17-year-olds out of work or study across the UK. The Neets in this age group varies widely across the country, from 1% in Barnet to 21.5% in Dudley.
The think tank warns poor educational attainment at this age “massively” increases the risk of being unemployed or lower-paid later in life.
Julia Diniz, a research specialist at the Resolution Foundation, said: “From flipping burgers to serving drinks or lugging boxes around, people’s first experience of work is often one that stays with them throughout their working lives. But young people today are delaying their first taste of work and contributing to a rising share of young people who have never worked.
“This would be understandable if all young people were staying in education for longer. But in six local authority areas over one-in-ten 16-17-year-olds are neither learning nor earning or are otherwise unknown to their local authority.
“We need to help more young people stay in education or return if they drop out. Failing to do so risks stunting their long-term job prospects.”
A government spokesperson said: “Every young person should have the chance to thrive. That’s why we’ve put in place the September guarantee, requiring local authorities to ensure all 16 and 17-year-olds receive an offer of a suitable place in education or training by the end of September each year.
“As part of our Youth Guarantee, we’re also testing innovative new approaches through our trailblazer programmes, which have just received funding for another year. This will ensure that every young person has the opportunity to earn or learn, so no one is left behind under our plan for change.”
