NEETS on rise

The proportion of 16- to 24-year-olds not in employment, education or training — also known as NEETs — has risen to 16.2%, according to recent figures released by the Department for Education.

The figure for the second quarter of 2011 is an increase from last year’s second quarter figure of 14.4% and 15.9% for the same quarter 2009.

The increase is further proof of the challenges facing younger workers and jobseekers as they seek to gain a foothold in the labour market, and has led some commentators to suggest that there is no quick solution in sight.

www.education.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/STR/d001019/osr13-2011.pdf