# Quarter million more young people headed for benefits

> Liberal Democrats warn NEET numbers will surge to 1.26 million by 2031 unless government acts on youth employment crisis.
- Title: Quarter million more young people headed for benefits
- Summary: Liberal Democrats warn NEET numbers will surge to 1.26 million by 2031 unless government acts on youth employment crisis.
- Keywords: neets, youth employment, liberal democrats, alan milburn, education policy, work experience, careers coaching, The Independent
- Source: The Independent — https://independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/neets-crisis-welfare-lib-dem-analysis-b3084111.html
- Published: 2026-11-12T17:53:46+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: neets, youth employment, liberal democrats, alan milburn, education policy, work experience, careers coaching, politics, news
## 280,000 more young people headed for benefits
The number of NEETs aged 16 to 24 will rise by 280,000 to reach 1.26 million by 2031, accounting for one in six of that age group.
## Crisis already costs 125 billion pounds yearly
Analysis based on former Labour cabinet minister Alan Milburn's review estimates the current NEET crisis costs the country 125 billion pounds a year.
## Extra young people add 36 billion pounds annually
The 280,000 additional NEETs would add around 36 billion pounds annually to the bill unless the government acts to shut off the NEET pipeline at source.
## Lib Dems propose 100-hour work guarantee
The Liberal Democrats are calling for a 100-hour work experience guarantee and a careers coach for every young person leaving school.
## Careers coaching from real people, not online
The Lib Dems want personalised careers coaching involving a real person meeting young people multiple times a year to help build a five-year life plan.
## Sir Ed Davey warns of generation slipping through
Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey said: Unless we act now, hundreds of thousands more young people will slip through the cracks, stuck without education, training or guidance.

> Unless we act now, hundreds of thousands more young people will slip through the cracks, stuck without the education, training or guidance to succeed.
## Labour admits system is paying for failure
Labour housing minister Matthew Pennycook said the government is paying for failure and the focus should shift to investing in young people's futures with intensive support.

> We've got to invest in their futures rather than paying for failure.
## Nearly a million NEETs already out of work
Currently, 981,000 young people are already NEET, up 30,000 in a year. Milburn's report found the system has data to spot those at risk but lacks funding and accountability.
## Key takeaway

The number of young people not in education, employment or training will rise by 280,000 to 1.26 million by 2031, costing an extra 36 billion pounds annually unless the government intervenes.