The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reported on 27 August that 981,000 young people in the UK were not in education, employment, or training (NEET) during April to June 2024. This represents a decrease of 30,000 compared to the previous three months, with the proportion of NEETs dropping from 13.5% to 13%. However, this number is still slightly higher than it was a year ago. The ONS has warned that it is too early to draw firm conclusions from a single quarter’s data. Most of the improvement was seen among young people classified as economically inactive—those not working and not actively seeking work—whose numbers dropped by 28,000. The number of unemployed young people who were NEET fell by just 2,000. The King’s Trust, a youth employment charity, noted that the number of 18- to 24-year-olds in paid work has increased by around 20,000 since March, despite a tougher job market overall. Richard Rigby, head of UK government affairs at the Trust, explained that part of this increase may be due to the growing number of young adults in the population. However, he also suggested that fewer young people may now be economically inactive, meaning more are entering the labor market or actively seeking work. "Some of the increase in youth employment may reflect a reduction in economic inactivity," he said. An evaluation of the East Midlands Youth Guarantee Trailblazer program found that 74% of participants who completed one of its initiatives moved into employment, education, or training. Dr. Emma Simpson, an economist at the National Institute of Economic and Social Research, noted that the most successful programs combined practical individual help with opportunities for young people to build relationships. "Interventions that work best often include personalized support and help young people connect with others and organizations that can support or employ them," she said. Research commissioned by the government’s review into young people and work shows that many NEETs want to be in education, employment, or training. A survey of 417 NEETs found that 84% wanted to be in work or education. However, many face challenges such as poor health, disability, caring responsibilities, financial pressures, and a lack of experience. Some had never held a paid job. Rigby emphasized that the support needed to help young people transition into work can vary greatly. "Some are ready for work with minimal support, while others need more intensive help to prepare, secure, and sustain employment," he said. Ongoing support after starting a job can also determine whether young people remain in employment. In Stockport, a community-led Work & Skills Fund is testing a different approach to helping young people enter the labor market. Local voluntary and community organizations are working with those facing barriers such as mental health issues, isolation, and caring responsibilities. The focus is on building confidence and connections rather than just job applications. Initiatives include a community cafe run by women who are unemployed and isolated, and programs that help young people turn difficult life experiences into skills employers can recognize. Despite these efforts, the number of accessible "starter" jobs—those that helped previous generations enter the labor market—has dropped by 49% over the past decade. This means there are now roughly three NEETs for every available starter job nationally. Henry Parkes, an economist at the Institute for Public Policy Research, said that simply telling young people to "try harder" is not enough. "Where you live can make a huge difference to your chances, and in too many parts of the country, there simply aren’t enough suitable first jobs to go around," he said. To address this, both the government and employers are working to create more entry-level opportunities. Sainsbury’s announced in August that it will provide around 10,000 work experience and employability opportunities over the coming year. The government’s new Youth Jobs Grant offers employers up to £3,000 when they hire an eligible 18- to 24-year-old who has been looking for work for at least six months. Young people who have been searching for work for 18 months can qualify for the Jobs Guarantee, which offers a fully funded six-month paid job. The first participants started work in August, too late to impact the latest drop in NEET numbers, but the program will test whether providing real paid jobs can help people re-enter the labor market after long absences. Dr. Simpson said the 30,000 quarterly drop in NEET numbers is encouraging, but long-term progress will require broader changes. "We would need to see evidence of the kind of systemic change outlined in the Milburn review to be confident that the trend is likely to be reversed," she said.