One in four teens classed as 'Neets'

Nov 6 2007 by Urmee Khan, The Journal

THE North-East has the highest rates of teenagers not in education, employment or training, it was revealed yesterday.

Nearly a quarter of 17-year-olds in the region are officially classed as “Neets” by the Government.

And a report released by the Fabian Society yesterday identified regional patterns for Neets which show that “the highest levels are in areas which have lost traditional industries such as coal mining or ship building”.

Legislation due to be introduced in the Queen’s Speech this week will require all young people to stay in education or training until they are 17 by 2013 and 18 by 2015.

As part of the preparations for this, Schools Secretary Ed Balls wants a major expansion of apprenticeships for 16 to 18-year-olds with a further 90,000 places delivered by 2013.

The Government has committed funding of £100m over the next three years to tackle the problem of the estimated 10% of young people categorised at any one time as Neets. Within the North-East, numbers vary widely, with Durham having nearly a quarter of its teenagers classed as Neets, while only 10% are in that category in Northumberland.

The findings also show that 16-year-old boys are twice as likely to be Neet as 16-year-old girls.

A Northumberland County Council spokeswoman said: “In Northumberland, we currently have 714 young people who are not in education or training. At 10%, this is lower than the regional average, however it’s higher than the national average.

“This is a priority for the county council. We’re working hard with schools, employment partners and education providers to get more young people into work or education.”

Tony Welsh, head of the Connexions Tyne and Wear career services, said: “Over the last few years, Connexions Tyne and Wear has significantly reduced the Neet unemployment figures year on year.”

North East Chamber of Commerce head of policy Ross Smith said: “The direction of the policy is absolutely right and we need to make sure students are as well qualified as can be. However, the detail needs to be worked out and the extra two years need to be of quality years to add serious value to the 11 years they’ve spent already.”

Mr Balls earlier called for “a culture change” to make it unacceptable for people between 16 and 17 to be out of work and not studying.

He said: “We want all young people to play an active role in society and gain the skills they need to enter the labour market. Raising the age of participation so that all young people stay in education or training at least until the age of 18 is central to achieving these ambitions.”