Policy Connect and Skills Commission Launch Call for Evidence to Tackle UK Youth NEET Crisis

Policy Connect and the Skills Commission have today announced the launch of a major Call for Evidence as part of their new inquiry, Earning or Learning: A New Agenda for Youth NEET Reduction. The initiative seeks input from organisations, practitioners, and experts working with young people who are not in employment, education, or training (NEET), as well as those at risk of becoming NEET, to inform a comprehensive strategy for reducing youth disengagement in the UK.

Nearly 900,000 young people aged 16 to 24 (around one in eight) are currently NEET in the UK, a rate that has stubbornly persisted above 12% for decades. The personal, social, and economic costs are profound, with long-term negative impacts on young people’s prospects and a significant burden on the wider economy. Analysis suggests that each young person who becomes NEET costs the UK economy over £100,000, and halving the NEET rate could add £69 billion to GDP.

The inquiry is co-chaired by Lauren Edwards MP, Josh Babarinde MP OBE, and Lord Shinkwin, and is supported by a cross-party group of parliamentarians, the Youth Futures Foundation, and key sector partners. Its ambition is clear: to set the UK on a path to achieving the lowest NEET rate in the OECD by 2050.

Gathering Evidence for Change

The Call for Evidence invites written submissions from stakeholders across the UK, including charities, local authorities, employers, education providers, and young people themselves. Respondents are encouraged to share practical case studies, data, and insights on what works - and what doesn’t - across a range of focus areas:

• Employment support and youth hiring
• Apprenticeships and vocational training
• Early intervention for at-risk youth (pre-16)
• Tackling health barriers
• Addressing additional barriers such as SEND and caring responsibilities
• Confronting discrimination in employment, education, and training
• Devolution, data sharing, and coordinated support

Submissions will help shape the inquiry’s final recommendations to government, aiming for a holistic, cross-sector policy agenda that addresses persistent inequalities and delivers real change for young people. 

How to Submit Evidence

The Call for Evidence is open until 12th September 2025. Stakeholders can respond by submitting a completed Word document to the research team, via research [at] policyconnect.org.uk (research[at]policyconnect[dot]org[dot]uk). Equally, you can respond to the online form through the link below. Additional reports, data, or case studies are also welcomed to strengthen the evidence base (attached as pdf or word docx. format). 

SUBMIT VIA THE ONLINE FORM HERE. 

For more information, visit the Policy Connect website or contact the research lead, Alyson Hwang (alyson.hwang [at] policyconnect.org.uk (alyson[dot]hwang[at]policyconnect[dot]org[dot]uk)). 

This work would not be possible without our sponsors, Youth Futures Foundation, Jisc, University of Derby, Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and NOCN Group.