UK youth employment and welfare review

Alan Milburn is conducting a government review into youth unemployment in the UK, addressing a rise in the number of young people not in employment, education, or training (NEET), which has reached a 10-year high of approximately 1 million individuals aged 16 to 24.

Initially, Milburn focused on the potential to “turbocharge” supported internships for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). He characterized the high joblessness rates among these groups as a “moral crisis” and an economic sustainability issue. Advocacy groups responded by supporting the expansion of internships while cautioning that such measures must not lead to the removal of financial support for those with significant disabilities.

As the review progressed, Milburn proposed a “tough love” approach to welfare reform, describing the current situation as “a total state failure.” His interim report suggested a new “duty to engage,” where the state provides increased employment support, but individuals capable of working—including those on health and disability benefits—would face an obligation to utilize that support. He proposed a “backstop” where benefits could be reduced for those who repeatedly fail to engage, warning that without intervention, the NEET population could reach one in six by 2031.