Andy Burnham said there will be big implications for the welfare state from Alan Milburn’s review into the almost one million young people not in education, employment or work
A major report into the Neets crisis will be a “watershed” moment for the country, Andy Burnham has said.
The Prime Minister insisted there will be big implications for the welfare state when Alan Milburn publishes his review next week into the almost one million young people not in education, employment or work.
The ex-Labour Cabinet minister warned this week his proposals – due to be published on Tuesday – would not be “pain-free”. But asked whether he would accept the recommendations in full, Mr Burnham told reporters: “I can’t give you that blanket assurance”.
He said: “Let’s wait for the detail and you will hear from me and of course from the Work and Pensions Secretary next week in response.”
Mr Burnham added: “I think it’s really important to see the report as quite a watershed moment in terms of how we think about supporting young people and supporting young people into work.
“It’s starting to point to a very different way of thinking about about welfare and support, and moving more towards guaranteeing support for young people to move forward and get into work, rather than leaving them in a situation where they don’t get the support when they need it, and then end up in benefits in their twenties.
“Nobody, nobody wants that. So there are big implications, but I think we’ll have to wait for the report.”
His comments come after Mr Milburn suggested a radical change to the existing system, with some young people receiving less financial support under his proposals. Under his plans, under-25s would no longer be able to claim the health element of Universal Credit or Personal Independence Payments (Pip).
According to the Times, they would instead move on to a new system, paid at the same level as the standard rate of universal credit – but with fewer people entitled. But the proposals – also expected to include recommendations for massive investment into work support schemes—have caused some concern among campaigners.
Some left-wing MPs including Clive Lewis have also expressed concerns over reports. He posted on X: “I’m deeply disappointed that Alan Milburn has chosen to discuss potentially life-changing welfare proposals in the media before his report has even been published or scrutinised by Parliament.”
He added: “I’ve written to the Speaker asking him to raise this with the Secretary of State. Parliament and those whose lives may be affected deserve answers, proper scrutiny and some basic respect.”
The Labour grandee Lord David Blunkett wrote in the Telegraph: “Clearly, the briefings emerging about the review indicate the need for a substantial change in both removing the current presumption of access to the health element of Universal Credit, and personal independence payments (Pip).
“In simple terms, to break the link from presumptions of inactivity, or cash support, to tailored and focused help instead. Anyone taking a look at the current statistics will recognise the imperative for change.”
Mr Burnham also told reporters there would be a need to discuss “reprioritising spending” in Whitehall to fund Mr Milburn’s plan. He said: “It’s not more money – it’s just thinking differently about how and when we intervene and how we support young people.
“So, if you take an issue like young people’s mental health, often they’re left waiting and they don’t get the support when they need it.
“So, it’s about spending differently. Or the education system, as you know, I’m long-standing on the record saying we need a different education system that’s not so obsessed with the university route, but is based on parity between academic and technical, and has technical paths.”