School tsars key to reducing Neets, says Labour's Hunt

Hunt told a conference hosted by think-tank the Fabian Society and philanthropic organisation Impetus-Pef that the directors would be accountable for ensuring smooth school-to-work transitions for all disadvantaged 14- to 19-year-olds.

The creation of the directors was recommended by former education secretary David Blunkett in his Review of Education Structures, Functions and Raising the Standards For All report and their aim would be to oversee improvements in school standards.

The report also recommends that a Labour government works with local authorities to scrutinise training providers and further education provision to reduce the number of young people categorised as Neet.

However, Hunt made no mention of the recommendation during his speech on the topic and instead focused on the directors of school standards role, giving the strongest indication yet that they will be a key measure in the party's manifesto.

Hunt also made reference to his plans for a National Baccalaureate – a new qualification that would give vocational and academic courses equal value.

He said the creation of the qualification would allow young people to develop the skills sought by employers and reduce the number of young people who are Neet.

Hunt said: “It would mean that in addition to A-levels, all learners would study English and maths to 18 and would undertake study to 18.

“They would develop their character, resilience and employability skills through a technical work programme.

“We’ve got to a place, in terms of qualifications, that they have been so narrowed and so reduced that their value in a school and college system is under threat and I worry about that.”

Hunt also said Labour will look “very, very closely” at the European Union Youth Guarantee, which ensures that all jobless young people under 25 are offered employment, education or training within four months of leaving formal education or becoming unemployed.

He said: “Ed [Miliband] announced new plans last week to make sure young people are in training so we are very clear, and if there is European money to assist with that I’m sure we will look at that very, very closely.”

Andy Harrop, general secretary of the Fabian Society, welcomed Hunt’s plans but said they would need to be properly implemented.

He said: “Schools are part of a number of institutions in young people’s lives and it is the job of any progressive government to think about how they all wrap around each other, particularly for very disadvantaged people.

“We need a vision that wraps them all together, that’s focused on a good transition and early intervention, and that focuses on the whole person.”

Last week, Labour leader Ed Miliband announced plans to scrap out-of-work benefits for unemployed 18- to 21-year-olds in favour of a training-based means-tested system.

He said the aim of the new allowance would be to equip unemployed young people with the skills required to gain work.