Call For Evidence: Young People And Work

The Government has launched an open Call for Evidence to inform a major new Young People and Work report, commissioned in November 2025 and led by the Right Honourable Alan Milburn.

The review will examine the sharp rise in the number of young people who are Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), with a particular focus on disabled young people and those with health conditions. Its findings will shape future policy responses aimed at improving access to good work, education and training.

Why This Matters

Around one million young people aged 16–24 are now NEET — approximately one in eight. Many are economically inactive, meaning they are not currently looking for or able to start work, and evidence shows a strong link with health and mental health conditions.

For young people, the consequences can be long-lasting: reduced confidence, missed opportunities and significantly lower lifetime earnings. Addressing this challenge requires looking beyond education alone, to consider the roles of employers, health services, benefits systems, communities and place.

A Vital Opportunity For Rural Voices

Rural areas face distinct challenges that can affect young people’s ability to access education, training and employment — including transport availability, distance to services, digital connectivity, employer density and access to specialist support.

This Call for Evidence is a key opportunity to ensure that rural experiences and realities are fully reflected in national policy thinking.

Who Should Contribute?

The Call for Evidence is open to anyone with relevant insight or lived experience, including:

• Young people with experience of being NEET
• Disabled young people and those with health conditions
• Parents and carers
• Employers
• Frontline services supporting young people
• Trade unions
• Academics and think-tanks
• Education, employment, health and careers providers

What Questions Are Being Asked?

The review is seeking evidence to help answer two core questions:

1. What is stopping more young people from participating in employment, education or training?
2. What would make the biggest difference in supporting more young people to participate?

Evidence is particularly welcome on issues such as:

• Changes in the labour market and nature of work
• Young people’s aspirations and employer expectations
• Mental health and neurodevelopmental trends
• Skills mismatches
• Benefits and employment support systems
• Transitions between education, health, employment and welfare
• Childhood experiences
• Community and place-based factors

How To Submit Evidence

Email: [email protected]

Deadline: Friday 30 January 2026

We strongly encourage rural organisations, service providers, employers and individuals to contribute and ensure rural perspectives are heard.