Alan Milburn to lead review into mental health's role in youth unemployment

"The government has launched a major review into youth unemployment, tasking former Labour health secretary Alan Milburn with investigating the growing role of mental health and disability in the rise of economically inactive young people. Nearly one million people aged 16 to 24 in the UK are currently not in education, employment or training (Neets) - a figure that has alarmed ministers and policymakers."

"The announcement comes just days after the Mayfield Review, led by former John Lewis chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield, warned that "young adults" aged 16 to 34 were at the heart of Britain's "economic inactivity crisis". His report found that the number of 16- to 34-year-olds who are long-term sick and inactive due to mental health conditions has risen by 190,000 since 2019, a jump of 75 per cent."

"Launching the review, Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, said the UK faced a "crisis of opportunity" among its younger generation. "We cannot afford to lose a generation of young people to a life on benefits, with no work prospects and not enough hope," he said. "This demands more action to give them the chance to learn or earn.""

The government launched a major review of youth unemployment, appointing Alan Milburn to examine how mental health and disability contribute to rising economic inactivity among young people. Nearly one million 16-to-24-year-olds are not in education, employment or training (NEET). The review will seek ways to prevent young people becoming trapped outside work or education and will report findings next summer. A recent independent review found 16-to-34-year-olds central to the economic inactivity crisis, with long-term sickness due to mental health up by 190,000 since 2019 (75%). The government plans a youth guarantee and further practical recommendations to support access to training, education and jobs.

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