Britain's unemployment crisis set to see FOUR Year 6 students per class live a life on benefits
A report released today will warn that the equivalent of four pupils in every Year 6 classroom are on course to spend their early adult lives claiming out-of-work benefits unless action is taken to tackle youth unemployment.The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) found more than 100,000 21-year-olds are currently claiming out-of-work benefits, equating to four children from a typical primary school class ending up out of work.The report has been published as former Labour politician Alan Milburn continues leading the Government's review into youth unemployment and economic inactivity among young people.The think tank said the situation has worsened over the past five years, with the equivalent figure rising from three pupils in every Year 6 class to four. TRENDING Stories Videos Your Say Its analysis also found around 40,000 of the 21-year-olds currently claiming out-of-work benefits are expected to spend at least a year of their early adult lives outside employment.The report highlighted concerns over educational attainment, noting that one in five Year 6 pupils failed to reach the expected reading standard last year.The CSJ argued these educational challenges are contributing to poorer employment outcomes later in life and increasing the number of young people who struggle to enter the workforce.Dan Lilley, a researcher at the Centre for Social Justice, said: "It's time to jam the conveyor belt sending youngsters straight from school on to out-of-work benefits."Mr Lilley said the findings demonstrate the need for significant reform to improve young people's employment prospects and reduce long-term welfare dependency.He added: "No child should be doomed to a life on the margins. That means ending the obsession with university, expanding technical education."Mr Lilley also called for "rewiring the incentives across the education system to drive up employment outcomes for school-leavers."The report identified persistent school absence as a major factor increasing the likelihood of young people becoming unemployed after leaving education.It also criticised what it described as an overemphasis on university as the default route after school, arguing greater attention should be given to technical qualifications and vocational pathways.LATEST DEVELOPMENTSSky agrees £1.6bn takeover of ITV entertainment to create Britain's largest commercial broadcasterSoaring energy costs 'putting one in ten factories at risk' as UK faces £85 BILLION hitMajor bank launches free £300 cash bonus in new savings deal - are you eligible?According to the CSJ, the growing number of young people classified as NEETs — those not in employment, education or training — can be traced back to problems that begin during the school years.The report comes after Mr Milburn published an interim review last month in which he described Britain's approach to youth unemployment as a "record of failure" that has left more than one million young people without work.His review estimated the annual economic cost of youth unemployment and inactivity at more than £125billion.Mr Milburn has also criticised the balance of Government spending, arguing the state spends £25 supporting young people through benefits for every £1 invested in helping them find employment.Speaking to the BBC last month, he said: "This is a failure of the welfare system, but it's a failure I'm sorry of the school system, the skills system, the health system."The former health secretary has rejected suggestions that younger generations are simply less resilient, instead describing them as "an anxious generation" shaped by the rise of digital technology.Mr Milburn said social media has changed how many young people communicate, manage stress and spend their time, with consequences for their wellbeing and ability to concentrate."They are sort of living in their bedrooms they are on all the time, they're never off," he said. Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
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A report released today will warn that the equivalent of four pupils in every Year 6 classroom are on course to spend their early adult lives claiming out-of-work benefits unless action is taken to tackle youth unemployment.
The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) found more than 100,000 21-year-olds are currently claiming out-of-work benefits, equating to four children from a typical primary school class ending up out of work.
The report has been published as former Labour politician Alan Milburn continues leading the Government's review into youth unemployment and economic inactivity among young people.
The think tank said the situation has worsened over the past five years, with the equivalent figure rising from three pupils in every Year 6 class to four.
Its analysis also found around 40,000 of the 21-year-olds currently claiming out-of-work benefits are expected to spend at least a year of their early adult lives outside employment.
The report highlighted concerns over educational attainment, noting that one in five Year 6 pupils failed to reach the expected reading standard last year.
The CSJ argued these educational challenges are contributing to poorer employment outcomes later in life and increasing the number of young people who struggle to enter the workforce.
Dan Lilley, a researcher at the Centre for Social Justice, said: "It's time to jam the conveyor belt sending youngsters straight from school on to out-of-work benefits."
Mr Lilley said the findings demonstrate the need for significant reform to improve young people's employment prospects and reduce long-term welfare dependency.
He added: "No child should be doomed to a life on the margins. That means ending the obsession with university, expanding technical education."
Mr Lilley also called for "rewiring the incentives across the education system to drive up employment outcomes for school-leavers."
The report identified persistent school absence as a major factor increasing the likelihood of young people becoming unemployed after leaving education.
It also criticised what it described as an overemphasis on university as the default route after school, arguing greater attention should be given to technical qualifications and vocational pathways.
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According to the CSJ, the growing number of young people classified as NEETs — those not in employment, education or training — can be traced back to problems that begin during the school years.
The report comes after Mr Milburn published an interim review last month in which he described Britain's approach to youth unemployment as a "record of failure" that has left more than one million young people without work.
His review estimated the annual economic cost of youth unemployment and inactivity at more than £125billion.
Mr Milburn has also criticised the balance of Government spending, arguing the state spends £25 supporting young people through benefits for every £1 invested in helping them find employment.
Speaking to the BBC last month, he said: "This is a failure of the welfare system, but it's a failure I'm sorry of the school system, the skills system, the health system."
The former health secretary has rejected suggestions that younger generations are simply less resilient, instead describing them as "an anxious generation" shaped by the rise of digital technology.
Mr Milburn said social media has changed how many young people communicate, manage stress and spend their time, with consequences for their wellbeing and ability to concentrate.
"They are sort of living in their bedrooms they are on all the time, they're never off," he said.
Our Standards: The GB News Editorial Charter
