Milburn and Fonagy link NEET crisis to youth mental health
A government review warns a record one million young people in England are now Neet, framing the crisis as a mental health emergency driven by systemic failure in welfare and support services.
A record one million young people aged 18 to 24 in England are now classified as Neet - not in education, employment, or training. Alan Milburn’s government-led review identifies this as a 'youth detachment' problem, arguing it is far more than a cyclical unemployment issue.
Milburn said the Neet crisis is a health crisis, with ill health driving higher Neet rates and non-participation harming young people's mental health. Peter Fonagy stated that if current trends continue, one in four young people will have diagnosable mental disorders, up from one in five, increasing their risk of becoming Neet. Both emphasized that for the vast majority of young people with autism, ADHD, anxiety, or depression, the focus should be on what they can do and how the state can support them.
Systemic failure in current welfare and support models
Alan Milburn said the problem with the system was that it was 'over-indexed to cash' and didn’t provide enough support. Fonagy’s review recommended providing help at the point of need, not after a diagnosis. Andy Burnham said the country faces a choice: invest in the success of young people or pay for failure through the benefits system. He argued we cannot afford to do both.
Proposed solutions: integrated support and early intervention
Milburn's review is likely to recommend integrating employment, health, and benefits support systems. Young people with health needs should receive prompt needs assessment, a personalised health plan, and a wider 'participation plan'. Milburn said intervening earlier and providing better support could help relieve pressure on mental health waiting lists. He expressed hope for introducing a maximum waiting time for mental health services, particularly for young people.
Political and fiscal context delaying action
The transformation proposed by Milburn and Fonagy would cost hundreds of millions of pounds in investment. Milburn’s final report was pushed back until after Chancellor John Healey’s first budget. Healey is under pressure to explain how he will reduce a multibillion-pound fiscal black hole and fund cost of living support without increasing borrowing.
A surge in sickness claims since the pandemic, especially for mental health conditions, has contributed to a soaring welfare bill. The Office for Budget Responsibility expects the UK’s welfare bill will total £333bn this year. By the end of the decade, the annual welfare cost will have climbed to £407bn. Milburn’s report has been delayed until after the Budget to avoid having to set out how extra job support should be funded.
The Chancellor is expected to use a tax raid on banks to fund youth unemployment programmes. This includes a £100m local apprenticeship service described as a downpayment on Milburn’s work.
