New research from the Centre for Cities shows that more than a third of England’s young people who are not in employment, education or training live in the country’s nine largest urban areas. London alone accounts for roughly one in six of all Neets, while cities such as Birmingham and Manchester also bear heavy burdens. At the same time, smaller towns like Blackpool experience disproportionately high rates despite lower absolute numbers, highlighting a patchwork of challenges that defy a one‑size‑fits‑all solution.
Urban centres hold the bulk of the problem
The study estimates that 117,100 young Londoners are classified as Neet, representing about 16 % of the national total. Birmingham follows with 45,000 and Manchester with 37,700. Together these three cities contribute nearly 200 000 of the roughly 981 000 Neets recorded across England between April and June 2026. The Centre for Cities notes that this concentration means any effective response must focus on urban labour markets and training provision.
Rob Johnson, senior analyst at the think tank, stressed the geographic dimension of the issue: “Getting young people into work or training is a national challenge that will be won or lost in England’s cities.” He added that in Birmingham the scale is “striking, with 45,000 out of education or training,” while in Blackpool “the actual number is small but the proportion of young people affected is very high.”
Regional contrasts reveal deep divides
When looking at proportions rather than raw figures, the picture shifts dramatically. Blackpool tops the list with 21 % of its youth classified as Neet, closely followed by Doncaster, Bradford, Middlesbrough and Barnsley, each at 17 %. At the opposite end, York records the lowest share at just 6 %, with Nottingham at 8 % and Bristol, Brighton and Portsmouth all around 9 %.
Johnson warned against assuming a uniform policy would work everywhere: “This shows there can’t be a single national solution. Stronger local economies are essential.” He argued that interventions falter when areas lack sufficient jobs or training places, and called for mayors to receive greater authority to address barriers such as skills gaps, transport links and access to courses.
Policy context and political reactions
The figures come as the government prepares to act on a review of youth unemployment led by former Labour health minister Alan Milburn. His interim report, delivered earlier in 2026, described young people as being “abandoned” to a life on welfare and labelled the current system a “perverse choice” whereby those on health benefits often find “a higher income, less hassle and lower risk” than taking up work.
In response, several charities and campaigners have urged ministers not to pursue welfare reforms that would cut health benefits exclusively for young claimants, warning that such moves could deepen hardship rather than alleviate it.
The overall number of Neets in England has edged down slightly from 1.01 million to 981 000 over the recent quarter, but experts caution that the decline is modest and that structural issues remain entrenched.
Why it Matters
These findings underline that tackling youth disengagement cannot rely on blanket national programmes; instead, policies must be tailored to the distinct realities of places ranging from sprawling metropolises to smaller industrial towns. Without targeted investment in local jobs, transport and training opportunities, the risk persists that a generation will remain trapped in cycles of low‑pay, insecure work or long‑term dependence on welfare, undermining both individual prospects and the broader economic health of the nation.
