• Young people and work: interim report (DWP)

Alan Milburn’s interim report analysing the trends and drivers behind the recent rise in youth unemployment, economically inactive and claiming health and disability benefits. The second, solution-focused, half of the Milburn Report will be published in the Autumn 2026.

• Inside the Mind of a Young NEET (DWP)

This report is based on direct testimony from over 400 young people across Britain, co-authored by Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote. It argues that Britain must stop blaming the one million young people not in education, employment or training, known as NEETs, for a system that has let them down.

• ‘Earning or Learning: A New Agenda for Youth NEET Reduction’ (Policy Connect)

This cross-sector inquiry examines the structural drivers of the youth NEET rate and what is required to ensure that all young people can access education, training, or meaningful work. Drawing on evidence from over 200 stakeholders, 75 written submissions, and engagement with young people, the final report develops the themes identified in the interim report into a detailed set of policy recommendations.

• Youth Jobs Gap: Compound Disadvantage (Impetus)

The Youth Jobs Gap report reveals how multiple layers of disadvantage affect young people’s chances of not being in employment, education or training (NEET)

• Trends in young people not in education, employment or training 2021-2024 (Youth Futures Foundation)

This research explores key trends and key drivers by looking at Labour Force Survey data by gender, region and health.

• The State of Global Teenage Career Preparation (OECD)

This report sets out key findings from the OECD Programme for International Students Assessment (PISA) as they relate to teenage career development. The report shows that across OECD countries, students are now expressing very high levels of career uncertainty and confusion.

• The impact of place-based approaches in tackling youth unemployment (APPG Youth Employment)

This report follows an inquiry into place based approaches to tackling youth unemployment. Evidence submitted shows that support for young people and youth employment that responds to local challenges, labour market demands and the needs of the young people in their communities is an effective way to approach the youth unemployment challenge.

• Risk Factors for Young People being NEET (National Centre for Social Research)

This report explores the extent and degree of overlap between different forms of marginalisation among young people in England, and how experiencing multiple types of marginalisation may increase the risk of young people not being in employment, education, or training.

• Bridging the Gap (The Health Foundation)

This report – and the research that informs it – looks at employers’ perspective on and experience of good quality youth employment. It complements previous research focused on young people’s views and experiences of good work.

• Finding a NEET solution (Education and Skills – EDSK)

This report analyses the evidence base on various aspects of our secondary education system that are within the control of ministers and civil servants, and which could therefore be reconfigured to improve young people’s attainment, confidence and self-esteem. Importantly, it finds compelling evidence that making pupils concentrate almost exclusively on academic subjects can undermine their motivation, aspirations and confidence.

• Young, vulnerable, and increasing (Impetus)

This report lays out why we urgently need to improve our offer to those young people who are at most risk of being, or have already been, locked out of education, employment and training. It emphasises that many young people are prevented from finding sustainable work by a lack of access to appropriate information, advice and connections, inadequate support to overcome disadvantage, or as a result of discrimination.

• The Employability Badge: Skills for life, work and a stronger society (Demos)

This report aims to address the challenge of youth unemployment by exploring the role extracurricular activities can play in equipping young people with the skills and experiences they need to enter the workforce and progress in their careers.