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Young People not in Education, Employment or Training
26 November 2025
Lead MP
Linsey Farnsworth
Amber Valley
Lab
Responding Minister
Andrew Western
Tags
NHSTaxationHousing
Word Count: 9903
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Linsey Farnsworth raised concerns about young people not in education, employment or training in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government must work with industry to facilitate job demand and create accessible education pathways for young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs).
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The proportion of 16 to 24-year-olds who are NEET has been rising since 2021 and is now nearing its highest level since 2014. The narrative often portrays these young people as lazy, unmotivated or overly sensitive, but this view ignores the complex reality behind that growing number. Issues include barriers to employment such as disability, mental health conditions, and lack of educational qualifications.
Adam Jogee
Lab
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Highlights the importance of ensuring young people in Newcastle-under-Lyme receive support, acknowledging that over one in ten young people are missing out on education and employment opportunities. Called for a visit to one of the colleges in his constituency, emphasizing the need to look at NEET issues comprehensively.
Amanda Hack
Lab
North West Leicestershire
Focused on the challenges faced by care-experienced young people and those in temporary accommodation, highlighting how housing benefit taper rates penalise them financially when they start working. Pointed out the challenges for care leavers in supported accommodation, who are often discouraged from working due to taper traps.
Andrew Cooper
Lab
Mid Cheshire
Addresses the high proportion of young people who are NEET in Winsford. Requests sustained funding and cross-departmental operations to reduce NEET levels, emphasizing the impact of distance on further education access.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Praised the work of local colleges in Stoke-on-Trent to reduce NEETs, and highlighted the importance of starting support for young people earlier in secondary schools. Addressed the high number of NEETs in his constituency and highlighted the importance of further education and training schemes like Higher Horizons at Keele University.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
The MP highlights the importance of education and career prospects, noting a rise in NEET numbers in Northern Ireland from 15,000 to 22,000. He attributes this to economic hardship, poor mental health, unstable home life, deprivation, and lack of transport access. The MP advocates for realistic and accessible opportunities for young people, emphasizing the need for greater careers guidance inside and outside schools. Called for greater careers advice and guidance, emphasizing its importance in addressing youth unemployment.
Josh Dean
Lab
Hertford and Stortford
Focuses on economically inactive young people and hidden NEETs who are unemployed but not claiming universal credit. Emphasizes the need for targeted support to engage these disengaged youth.
Lauren Edwards
Lab
Rochester and Strood
The co-chair of the all-party parliamentary group for skills, careers and employment discusses findings from a six-month skills commission inquiry into NEET rates. She highlights that other countries like Germany and the Netherlands have not seen similar rises in their NEET rates due to better targeted support systems.
Leigh Ingham
Lab
Stafford
Compliments Adam Jogee's speech and emphasizes the importance of colleges like Newcastle and Stafford Colleges Group in ensuring local labour market needs are met.
Mark Garnier
Con
Wyre Forest
The number of people who are NEET has soared to nearly one million, costing over £1 million in lost earnings per lifetime. The current government's policies may be locking young people out of work. Initially agreed with the discussion but later criticized the government's approach to addressing NEETs.
Lichfield
Discussed specific cases of young people struggling with employment and highlighted the need for better support from job centres.
Michelle Welsh
Lab
Sherwood Forest
Disappointed by the closure of Dukeries sixth form in Ollerton, which affects young people's access to further education. Called for more opportunities and support for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Highlighted the link between special educational needs and disabilities and NEETs, emphasizing holistic interventions.
Jonathan Brash
Lab
Hartlepool
Highlights that Hartlepool has one of the highest levels of young people not in education, employment or training. Calls for proper funding and respect for vocational routes, urging the government to rebuild further education as a backbone for towns like Hartlepool.
Mark Field
Con
Leytonstone
Noted the impact of AI on employment but highlighted forecasters' predictions of a net increase in jobs due to AI technology.
Olly Glover
LD
Didcot and Wantage
Discusses the challenges in his Oxfordshire constituency, including high housing costs, shortage of affordable homes for young people, and the need for skills training to support local industries such as space, biotech, fusion. Also mentions the impact of NHS waiting lists on employment opportunities.
Richard Quigley
Lab
Isle of Wight West
The MP discusses the pressures on non-academic students and emphasizes the importance of vocational training. He notes that around 65% of school leavers do not go to university but face limited options for skilled trades. The MP highlights efforts to prevent young people from becoming NEETs, focusing on vocational routes and good apprenticeships.
Torbay
Discusses the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on young people, noting that many arrive at school cold, tired, and hungry. He also mentions the mental health impacts of COVID-19 and the challenges faced by care-experienced youngsters. Mentioned the challenges faced by sectors like hospitality in hiring young people and called for long-term support rather than one-off schemes.
Government Response
Andrew Western
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
Government Response
We inherited a situation with nearly one million young people not in education, employment or training. The Government acknowledges the lifelong consequences and aims to help them achieve their potential through initiatives such as the youth guarantee and new jobs service. Discussed initiatives such as the national jobs and careers service, youth jobs guarantee funding, growth and skills levy, and mental health support teams. Emphasized the importance of vocational training and apprenticeships, particularly focusing on those under 22 years old. Discussed measures in the Budget to address issues faced by care leavers and those in supported accommodation, including new disregards that will allow more people to enter work and receive housing benefit. Mentioned the importance of holistic interventions covering young people until age 25. Highlighted upcoming initiatives like foundation apprenticeships with a focus on sectors such as hospitality, and emphasized ongoing support through schemes like the youth jobs guarantee.
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Assessment & feedback
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.