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In a bold move to combat the rising tide of youth unemployment, Alan Milburn, the architect behind a government review into Britain’s worklessness crisis among young people, is advocating for primary schools to play a crucial role in identifying children at risk of becoming jobless. With over one million 16 to 24-year-olds currently classified as NEET (not in employment, education, or training), Milburn’s recommendations signal a significant shift in educational and welfare strategies aimed at preventing future generations from falling into the unemployment trap.
Early Intervention is Key
Milburn has made it clear that the responsibility for identifying at-risk children should not rest solely on the shoulders of secondary schools. In an exclusive interview, he emphasised the importance of early intervention, stating, “The warning signs are there from a very early, early age. You know, frankly from preschool.” His recommendations suggest that primary schools should be mandated to pinpoint students who may struggle to transition smoothly into the workforce or further education at age 16.
The former Labour health secretary’s review, due in the autumn, is expected to propose comprehensive changes to the educational framework and the benefits system. He believes that proactive measures at the primary level could drastically reduce the number of young people entering the NEET category. “Secondary schools and other services should be intercepting, intervening, supporting and helping those young people to get on a different path,” Milburn added.
The Current Landscape of Youth Unemployment
The statistics are alarming. The NEET rate among young adults has surged, representing roughly one in eight individuals aged 16 to 24. This troubling trend has been exacerbated by a difficult job market and escalating mental health issues. Milburn’s findings come at a time when Andy Burnham, the newly elected Labour Prime Minister, has prioritised youth employment reform, pledging to reshape technical education and apprenticeship programmes to better serve the needs of young people.
Milburn acknowledges that any changes to the welfare system must be coupled with enhanced educational support. He refers to the moment a young person falls into the benefits system as an “upstream failure” of policy, highlighting the need for more effective educational and health interventions before individuals reach that point. “We’ve got to turbocharge that education; that support. We’ve got to turbocharge opportunities for young people,” he insists.
Learning from International Examples
As part of his fact-finding mission, Milburn recently visited the Republic of Ireland, which has seen a remarkable decline in NEET rates over the past decade. He noted that youth disengagement often begins well before children reach secondary education. Citing a study from Bradford, he pointed out that children who are not ready for school at ages four or five are nearly three times more likely to become NEET by the time they are 16 or 17.
The review aims to leverage existing knowledge about the factors leading to youth unemployment—such as poverty, mental health issues, and care status—into actionable strategies. “What we don’t do is take that knowledge and turn it into action,” Milburn lamented.
Proposed changes to the Department for Education’s pupil premium guidance would encourage schools to allocate resources towards tutoring and mentoring for at-risk students, a move that could have far-reaching implications for future employment rates.
The Role of Attendance
Absenteeism has emerged as a critical factor in youth unemployment, with official figures indicating a staggering rise in school absence since the Covid pandemic. The number of pupils persistently absent from school has nearly doubled, now affecting 1.3 million students. Milburn’s interim report highlighted a direct correlation between absenteeism and the likelihood of becoming NEET, indicating a need for urgent action.
While some schools have begun using tools to identify students at risk of becoming NEET, such practices remain inconsistent and unregulated. Milburn argues for a systematic approach: “We’ve got to get upstream because what we’re doing is we’re paying – this country, and young people – are paying the price of failure.”
Why it Matters
The implications of Milburn’s recommendations extend beyond educational reform; they represent a potential lifeline for a generation facing unprecedented challenges. By intervening early, schools can help steer children away from a future of unemployment. This proactive approach could not only alleviate the economic burden on the welfare system but also empower young people to realise their potential. The urgency of this initiative cannot be overstated, as the stakes are high—failing to act risks perpetuating a cycle of disadvantage that could resonate for decades to come.
