A record rise in the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet) has been revealed.
According to latest government statistics, there was a year-on-year increase of 18 per cent in the number of 19- to 24-year-olds who are Neet.
From April to June this year there were 794,000 in this category, up 119,000 on the same quarter the previous year. This is the largest rise since 2000 when the figures were first compiled.
The figures also show there were 979,000 16- to 24-year-olds classified as Neet from April to June this year, 54,0000 more than the previous three months and 109,000 more than the same quarter in 2010.
Dalia Ben-Galim, associate director at think-tank the Institute for Public Policy Research, blames the government for the rise.
She said: "These figures confirm that the government is not doing enough to support young people. While the planned expansion of apprenticeships is welcome, it is clearly not enough and the government needs to provide more places in further education colleges and a job guarantee for every young person out of work for more than a year."
The figures show the north west, east of England and London saw the biggest year-on-year rise in 19- to 24-year-olds who are Neet.
A government spokesman said ministers are "determined to bring the numbers down".
He added: "We have made clear our commitment to raising the participation age, so all 16- and 17-year-olds are in education or training by 2015, and our cross-government strategy later in the year will set out how we will improve post-16 participation further.
"By the end of this parliament we will have supported 250,000 more adult apprenticeship places than under the previous government’s plans and from this summer our new Work Programme will provide personalised support and training to help unemployed young people not only get a job but to stay in work."
From April to June this year there were 794,000 in this category, up 119,000 on the same quarter the previous year. This is the largest rise since 2000 when the figures were first compiled.
The figures also show there were 979,000 16- to 24-year-olds classified as Neet from April to June this year, 54,0000 more than the previous three months and 109,000 more than the same quarter in 2010.
Dalia Ben-Galim, associate director at think-tank the Institute for Public Policy Research, blames the government for the rise.
She said: "These figures confirm that the government is not doing enough to support young people. While the planned expansion of apprenticeships is welcome, it is clearly not enough and the government needs to provide more places in further education colleges and a job guarantee for every young person out of work for more than a year."
The figures show the north west, east of England and London saw the biggest year-on-year rise in 19- to 24-year-olds who are Neet.
A government spokesman said ministers are "determined to bring the numbers down".
He added: "We have made clear our commitment to raising the participation age, so all 16- and 17-year-olds are in education or training by 2015, and our cross-government strategy later in the year will set out how we will improve post-16 participation further.
"By the end of this parliament we will have supported 250,000 more adult apprenticeship places than under the previous government’s plans and from this summer our new Work Programme will provide personalised support and training to help unemployed young people not only get a job but to stay in work."
