South West is falling behind in battle to reduce Neet numbers

24 June 2008 1 min read Joe Lepper Education

The South West is the only English region to see a fall in the number of 16- and 17-year-olds in education or training. According to latest government figures on young people not in education, employment or training (Neet) for the end of 2006, 81 per cent of 16- and 17-year-olds in the South West are taking a course or involved in work training, down one per cent on the previous year.

The national average is 82 per cent, up one per cent on the previous year. Among the most impressive increases were in London where 89 per cent of 16- and 17- year-olds are now involved in education and training, a leap of four per cent.

The South West is one of four regions where involvement in education and training is below the national average. The others are: Yorkshire and the Humber; the East Midlands; and the North West.

Anne Longfield, chief executive of the charity 4Children, said the South West's rurality and pockets of social deprivation could be the root of its poor performance. She is optimistic that future figures will improve in all regions.

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