The Mirror calls this group the nation's "fastest-growing underclass" and a generation whose parents were unemployed and have grown up without ambition.
Well, let me tell you something - I have no intention of costing the taxpayer. And just because I chose not to go into further education at this stage of my life doesn't mean I won't achieve anything.
I'm a member of the UK Youth Parliament, director of young people at Connexions South Yorkshire and I've co-organised a national campaign that raised more than 160,000 for victims of the South Asia tsunami.
The only thing about me that's remotely in keeping with the image of NEETs is that I grew up in a single-parent family with nobody in the house working. I'm a credit to my mother and I'll never forget what she's done for me. I've been brought up with good values and even think I wouldn't be as ambitious if my upbringing was any different.
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