It would mean that the problems of those not in education, employment or training is greater than the government’s quarterly statistics suggest.
The Youth Jobs Index, which has been published by charity Impetus-PEF, also shows that as many as 700,000 16 to 24-year-olds (10 per cent) will spend a whole year out of education, employment or training.
The Index has been published this week to coincide with the release of the latest government statistics on NEETs, which were due out today (Thursday, May 26).
These official statistics show that the number of NEETs has been in decline since 2012. The latest figures from February 2016 reported that 853,000 young people aged 16 to 24 were still NEET. Only a small change in this number is anticipated in today’s figures.
However, the Youth Jobs Index, which has been compiled by the Learning and Work Institute and Impetus-PEF using the same Labour Force Survey as the government uses, claims to be a more accurate measure of NEETs over time.
The Index is based on eight datasets spread from January 2013 to December 2015 which Impetus-PEF argues gives a more accurate average over time and allows more precise national estimates of long-term NEETs.
Impetus-PEF, which offers support to disadvantaged young people to help them re-engage, is planning to publish the Index annually and is calling on the government to work with youth charities to develop a more effective strategy to get disengaged young people into work.
Andy Ratcliffe, CEO of Impetus-PEF, said: “Our research shows that more than a million young people in this country are wasting six months not working or learning. This can have knock-on effects for the rest of their lives, reducing their opportunities and earnings.
“So while we should celebrate the good news that the number of young people who are out of work or education has been falling in recent years, we need to make sure those young people who spent long periods NEET don’t miss the party.
“Helping the young people furthest from work is essential to meeting the government’s manifesto commitment to abolishing youth unemployment, and the Youth Jobs Index will track progress towards this goal.”
Commenting on the findings, Alan Milburn, chair of the Social Mobility Commission, said: “This research places much-needed focus on a significant population of young people who are often over-looked and under-supported. Social mobility is not just about getting graduates into the professions but making sure that every child in the UK is given the chance to follow a path into education or employment for the long-term.”
Tony Wilson, director of policy and research at the Learning and Work Institute, added: “This data shines a much-needed light on how long young people are NEET and we welcome greater scrutiny on the fact that so many are disengaged from work and education long-term.”
For details on the work of Impetus-PEF, visit www.impetus-pef.org.uk