Responding to the latest ONS figures on young people who are NEET (not in education, employment or training), Stephen Evans, chief executive at Learning and Work Institute, said:
“Over 900,000 young people are not in education, employment or training. While that seems to have stabilised in the last year, it’s up more than one fifth since the pandemic. Our research shows 58% of NEETs have never had a paid job and one half have been NEET for a year or more. Being out of work and education when young can have damaging effects on your career prospects so we need urgent action to implement a Youth Guarantee of education and employment opportunities for all young people.”
Contact our press office18 August 2026
Labour Market Briefing: August 2026
Our analysis of the ONS labour market statistics, released on the morning of 18 August 2026.
18 August 2026
Labour market dashboard
Every month, Learning and Work Institute produces detailed and timely analysis of the latest labour market statistics from ONS. Explore our interactive charts.
18 August 2026
Labour market stats response, August 2026
L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the latest labour market data from ONS.
12 August 2026
Small employers, big opportunities: apprenticeships for young people
Olly Newton, Executive Director at Edge Foundation, reflects on key messages from the Edge Foundation-sponsored workshop at Learning and Work Institute’s Employment and Skills Convention, exploring how small employers and local partners can support more young people into apprenticeships.
11 August 2026
Delivering local work and health programmes: Top tips
Developed as part of the Labour Market Evidence Programme, these top tips share practical lessons on designing, delivering and evaluating local work and health programmes.
21 July 2026
Labour Market Briefing: July 2026
Our analysis of the ONS labour market statistics, released on the morning of 21 July 2026.
21 July 2026
Labour market stats response, July 2026
L&W’s chief executive Stephen Evans responds to the latest labour market data from ONS.
10 July 2026
Building trust before jobs: supporting NEET young people in East Finchley
Andrew Potter, Project Manager of the JobsPlus pilot in East Finchley, outlines a different approach to supporting young people into employment and training.
29 June 2026
What enables the effective design, delivery and evaluation of local work and health programmes?
This report presents findings from an evidence review on what enables the effective design, delivery and evaluation of local health and work programmes.
