Alan Milburn warns failing to act on Neets crisis will 'cost lives'

Alan Milburn has warned failing to act on young people out of work “costs lives” as he prepares to publish his review into the Neets crisis. The former Labour Cabinet minister said the status quo had failed, and without urgent action another generation would “pay the price”. Mr Miliburn is currently writing the long-awaited review, into the almost one million young people aged between 18-24 and not in education, employment or training (Neets).

Writing in this newspaper, he said: “The status quo is failing a generation. Doing nothing costs far more: lost skills, slower growth, a benefits bill we cannot afford. Above all, it costs lives. Without tough decisions now the numbers will spiral and another generation will pay the price. “Not because we didn't see the problem, because we didn't act. There is no credible option of sticking with what we’ve got. Half measures will not do.

Young people have told me again and again that they want a chance, an opportunity. They want to work. “This is a moment of choice for the country. It's time to back the next generation.” Andy Burnham will spell out his plans for welfare reform in the coming months, but told ITV on Friday the changes would not involve “brutal cuts” that would leave people in “absolute crisis”. He added: “I don’t actually want to see anyone in their 20s on benefits.

I just don’t think that’s a good place to be, unless people can’t be in work for reasons due to disability or whatever else it might be.” The Mirror understands Mr Milburn’s final report will argue a new pre-apprenticeship route should be delivered in colleges and combine English and maths, technical training and substantial workplace experience with an employer. They would typically be available for 16-18-year-olds who lack qualifications, confidence, and workplace experience, and be taken instead of routes including A Levels, BTECs and V Levels.

DWP minister Sir Stephen Timms will also soon present his findings on his review of Personal Independence Payments (PIP) - the main disability benefit - after branding it "not fit for purpose". Sir Stephen's review was launched after ex-PM Keir Starmer was forced to rip up plans to slash billions from PIP payments in 2025 after a major Labour rebellion that severely weakened his position.