DWP chief warns of ‘nationwide emergency’ over younger folks not in work or training
Labour’s Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden blamed the Tories for failing to tackle the growing number of young people not in work, education or training
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden (Image: PA)
Labour’s DWP chief has warned the number of young people not in work, education or training must be treated as a “national emergency”.
Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden blamed the Tories for failing to tackle the issue which has been growing since 2021.
According to the latest figures at the end of last year, around 946,000 young people aged 16-24 were not in employment, education, or training (NEET) in July to September 2025. It is around one in eight – over 12% – of all 16-24-year-olds.
Mr McFadden told The Mirror : “Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed, with the right support and opportunities – but for too long this hasn’t happened.
“For years there has been an unacceptable rise in inactivity among young people, which the last government failed to tackle, and has a lifelong scarring effect. We must treat this as a national emergency. The measures we are taking are an investment in their future.”
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His comments come as the government today opens applications for its flagship Job Guarantee scheme in six areas including Birmingham & Solihull and Greater Manchester.
The programme aims to provide 55,000 people aged 18-21 who have been on Universal Credit for 18 months with a subsidised job offer.
The DWP has previously warned those who don’t engage with the support without good reason face a sanction to their benefits. The national roll-out is expected to begin later this year.
The government said more than 60 employers including Tesco and JD Sports have committed to providing jobs under the Job Guarantee scheme.
Last year the government also launched an independent investigation in order to bring down the number of young people not in work, education or training.
It is being led by Labour veteran and former Health Secretary Alan Milburn and is expected to publish its final report in the summer.
On Wednesday Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy also hit out at the Tory record as he stepped in for Keir Starmer at PMQs. After the Conservatives accused the government of increasing the cost of hiring young people, he shot back: The party opposite left a shameful legacy. One in eight young people not earning or learning when they left office.”
