What does Torsten think of the NEET numbers?

Yesterday , there was more information published on NEETS. A NEET, an acronym for “Not in Education, Employment, or Training“, is a person who is unemployed and not receiving an education or vocational training. The classification originated in the United Kingdom in the late 1990s

Here is our pension minister speaking out on the progress that has been made to reduce the pressure on youngsters who could be thought NEET.

 

Today’s NEETs stats are another reminder of the urgent need to turn the tide on young people’s participation in work AND education/training https://t.co/xbYwZw58oM

— Torsten Bell (@TorstenBell) August 27, 2026

The stats tell us two things: this problem is big, and also that it’s been years in the making. The substantive surge in numbers NEET took place between 2021 and 2024 (a rise of 248k).

— Torsten Bell (@TorstenBell) August 27, 2026

Those factors include too few high quality routes from the classroom to the workplace (including a 40% fall in youth apprenticeships) and a dysfunctional benefits system (that labels far too many unable too participate, and then provides zero support to do so)

— Torsten Bell (@TorstenBell) August 27, 2026

On the policy side, our job guarantee to prevent long term unemployment is being rolled out – with the first young people now starting work. As with so many policies in this area this is govt and employers working hand in glove to deliver.

— Torsten Bell (@TorstenBell) August 27, 2026

Moron get 1 to 2 year full time colleges nae summers off and let people retrain and get qualifications as fast as possible in useful things.

— Charles Mcalister IV (@cmcalister5) August 27, 2026