Former Labour minister Alan Milburn warns that Britain faces a massive youth unemployment crisis. His report indicates that the population of youngsters not in education, employment, or training could reach 1.25 million by 2030.

The 1.25 million NEETs facing a "lost generation"

The scale of the crisis is significant, with the report stating that the number of "Neets"—those not in education, employment, or training—is on track to increase by 25%. According to the report released by Alan Milburn, this would bring the total to 1.25 million people. Furthermore, the report warns that without urgent intervention, one in six young people will rely on jobless benefits before 2030, a situation already more severe than in Greece, France, or Spain.

A 35% drop in apprenticeships and the hospitality vacancy crash

Entry-level job opportunities are shrinking rapidly, according to the findings. The report highlights a 35% decline in the number of young people starting apprenticeships over the last decade. furthermore,vacancies in the hospitality sector have been cut in half over the past four years,while the availability of Saturday jobs has entered a "freefall."

The impact of mental health diagnoses on labour market detachment

Rising rates of mental health conditions are creating new barriers to employment for young people. The report suggests that a surge in diagnoses for anxiety, depression, and autism is effectively locking many youngsters out of the workforce. this issue is compounded by a growing number of Neets who risk becoming permanently detached from the labour market, with 60% of them having never held a job.

What remains unsaid in Milburn’s autumn reform timeline

While the report calls for sweeping reforms to welfare, education, and health, several critical details remain unverified. Alan Milburn has stated he will not publish his specific reform proposals until the autumn, leaving the government's immediate response in question. Additionally, the report stops short of asking Sir Keir Starmer to reverse recent Labour policies, such as the new workers' rights charter or minimum wage increases , which employers claim are making it harder to hire young staff.