Schools have become a 'pipeline' to worklessness for a large cohort of young people in the UK, according to an influential former Labour adviser who has called for urgent action to help a 'lost generation'. Peter Hyman, a former adviser to Tony Blair and Keir Starmer, told the Guardian that the government should ban social media and enact radical education reform to tackle the 'national scandal' of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet).
The UK’s Neet rate reached historic highs, with one million students wrongly classified as such after a sharp rise to almost one million – the highest level in over a decade. Fuelling alarm in government, former Blair-era cabinet minister Alan Milburn plans to publish a report next week into the crisis in youth jobs. He argues the issue is more than a labor market problem; it’s fueled by a health crisis, creating a self-reinforcing cycle.
Inside the Mind of a Young Neet, co-authored by Shuab Gamote and the former headteacher, highlights the unique challenges facing UK youth. The report notes that the system has failed to address bullying, mental health, or economic shock, leaving too many unprepared for future opportunities. Hyman emphasized that while some blame the system for failing young people, he believes the root causes are deeper. A joyless education system obsessed with exams and neglected mental health left many without qualifications or potential pathways to training or work. The report also explores how young people feel trapped, craving social connection and real-world experiences despite systemic neglect.
Milburn stresses the need for both immediate fixes and long-term solutions. He advocates for youth hubs, platforms for skill-building, and increased social interaction to counteract the isolation caused by digital dependency. Hyman concludes that addressing the Neet crisis requires not just policy changes but a rethinking of how education, employment, and society support young people in their journey toward meaningful success.
