Fiona Blacke, chief executive of The National Youth Agency (NYA), said marginalised young people will fall off the radar if the government plan goes ahead, and called for a non-formal form of education for 14- to 19-year-olds based around youth work.
Speaking as the Education and Skills Bill received its second reading in the House of Commons on Monday (14 January), Blacke said the government's plans to make young people stay in education or training until 18 would cause problems.
"When the raising of participation age comes into force we will probably see a number of young people, who are already marginalised, disappear," she said. "If they don't disappear, the intention from government is that there will be sanctions for people that don't participate. If they don't obey it and don't pay the fines they will end up in the criminal justice system. I don't think the government wants that and neither do we."
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