Milburn Review Says UK Spends 25 Times More on Youth Benefits Than Work Support
Alan Milburn says the welfare system has failed young people as nearly 1 million in the UK are not in work, education or training.
- Former Labour Health Secretary Alan Milburn revealed on Sunday's BBC programme that the state spends £25 on youth benefits for every £1 of employment support, labeling the system "shameful."
- Nearly 957,000 young people aged 16 to 24, or 12.8% of that cohort, were Neet in late 2025, the highest level in more than 10 years, prompting Milburn's government-commissioned review.
- Milburn noted entry-level jobs are disappearing, making career advancement harder; recalling his own sacking at 13 in Newcastle, he argued employers must improve pastoral care for young people with mental distress.
- Addressing Labour Party members nervous about welfare changes, Milburn urged them to recall they are the "party of work," emphasizing reform is "absolutely essential" to reset state institutions.
- Milburn's interim report on young Neets is expected to be published next week, with full methodology released later this week; his main recommendations for systemic reform arrive later this year.
8 Articles
8 Articles
Evening Standard
Milburn warns of ‘shameful’ failings trapping young people on benefits
The former health secretary warned the situation led to ‘incalculable costs for their life chances’.
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UK Faces 'economic Catastrophe' Unless It Adapts To Young People 'rewired By Smartphones'
Alan Milburn is due to publish an interim report next week that examines why almost one million 16 to 24-year-olds are not in employment, education or training (NEET). It will conclude that a “rising tide of mental ill health, anxiety, depression and neurodiversity” is a big factor in this economic inactivity. Speaking to The Times, Mr Milburn rejected claims that young people are “snowflakes” – and said the country is at risk “of just writing a…
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