Richard Partington

Almost half have been NEET for more than a year.

So they're really detached from both the education system after they've left school and they're not engaged in the jobs market either.

And the big reasons for this are several fold.

One of the biggest factors is rising mental ill health amongst young people.

And that can be attributed to a whole manner of things.

But there is a lot of concern about smartphones, social media, doom scrolling in the middle of the night, having a consequence on rising levels of anxiety and depression.

We're in a pretty weak jobs market at the moment.

The economy is not doing well as a consequence of the Iran war.

Cost of living crisis had already hit.

After the COVID pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, employers aren't taking people on as much as they used to.

And young people who lack experience, because they're by their definition at the start of their careers, are often the first to bear the brunt of that.

There's been tax increases from the government as well.

And that has played a contributing role as well.

Absolutely.

And also, if you think about AI and the way that's disrupting the jobs market,

That is particularly taking away employment opportunities in the entry level positions that young people would rely on.

Also in a cost of living crisis where people haven't got as much money to go out and spend as they might normally do, such as in the pub or a restaurant meal at the end of the week.

The hospitality sector, retail sector, again, places where young people would typically get their first start or maybe have a Saturday job are the places where employment opportunities are falling most.

He diagnosed the problem as the welfare system isn't geared up to encourage people to work.

It's a really delicate and tricky argument for a former Labour cabinet minister to get into with a Labour government that has a patchy record of addressing issues around benefits.