New research has uncovered major differences in youth employment opportunities across the United Kingdom, with some areas offering as few as one job vacancy for every 22 young people. According to the IPPR, a think tank, the number of young people not in education, training, or employment (known as "Neet") has slightly decreased from 1.01 million to 981,000 between April and June. However, the report highlights that access to suitable jobs varies greatly by region. In Rotherham, South Yorkshire, there were only 46 job vacancies per 1,000 young people — 58% below the national average. Other areas with low vacancy rates include East Renfrewshire in Scotland, Broxtowe in the East Midlands, and Newcastle-under-Lyme in the West Midlands. The study identified 20 areas with the lowest number of suitable vacancies per young adult, with the East and West Midlands each having four of these areas. The East of England, Scotland, and Yorkshire also had representation, but no regions in the south of England were among the lowest. On the other hand, 14 of the 20 areas with the highest number of suitable vacancies were in the south. The Cotswolds had the highest vacancy rate, at 165% above the national average, followed by Woking, Gloucester, Tonbridge, and Horsham. Former employment minister Lord Jim Knight commented that the findings challenge the idea that nearly a million young people are out of work due to a lack of ambition. Instead, he emphasized that the issue lies in the availability of suitable jobs in certain areas, not the lack of talent among young people. The IPPR has called on the government to implement a targeted job creation scheme, offering government-funded entry-level jobs in areas with high Neet rates. The report also criticizes the inconsistent use of apprenticeships as a pathway to skilled work and calls for more accessible opportunities for young people. The government has said it will take further action to address the Neet crisis after a review of youth unemployment by Alan Milburn, a former Labour health minister, is published later this year. Milburn's interim report earlier this year said young people were being left "abandoned" on welfare, with the current system offering a "perverse choice" between benefits and work. In response, charities and campaigners have urged the government not to cut health benefits only for young claimants. The IPPR report also suggests changes to the universal credit system, including a single rate for young people, protections for disabled claimants, and allowing young people to keep their allowance while in education or training. A government spokesperson stated that "Where you're from should never determine where you end up in life" and said the Milburn Review will support future reforms. The government has already invested £2.5 billion in youth employment initiatives, including apprenticeships, youth hubs, and hiring incentives for businesses.