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Written question asked by Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative) on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 21 July 2026. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Friday, 17 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Unemployment: Young People

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the reasons why 32,100 young people aged 16 and 17 have an unknown education, employment or training status.

Answer

Reducing the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) is a shared priority for government and local authorities, preventing the impacts of disengagement on individuals, the economy and society.

Local authorities support this by maintaining effective systems to identify and support NEET young people. There is already strong practice across the sector, often in the face of significant challenges. The department has written to all local authorities and contacted those where the proportion of young people whose activity is not known is in the highest quintile to provide support and challenge, understand local circumstances, and agree actions.

To support local authorities, we have introduced a new risk of NEET indicator tool and guidance. The department is continuing to refine it with local authorities and monitoring its impact on earlier identification of young people at risk of becoming NEET.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL1777
Session
2026-27
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
Unemployment Young people
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk