The Equalise Work theme submitted written evidence to the Works and Pensions Committee Inquiry on Youth employment, education and training on 5th February 2026.
Executive summary
- Mental ill‑health is a major causal driver of NEET status, with difficulties often beginning in childhood and continuing into early adulthood, preceding disengagement from education, employment or training.
- Young women with caring responsibilities face compounded barriers, where isolation, low self‑esteem and high rates of anxiety/depression hinder their return to education or work.
- Educational attainment remains the strongest predictor of NEET risk, with early disadvantage, low school readiness, and school exclusions significantly increasing the likelihood of later economic inactivity.
- Family employment patterns, social disadvantage, and limited access to high‑quality training shape young people’s risk of becoming NEET, often delaying rather than preventing disengagement.
- Regional labour markets play a crucial role, with high adult unemployment, part‑time work, and limited entry‑level jobs – particularly in rural areas – contributing to higher NEET rates.
- Effective prevention requires integrated mental health support, strong careers guidance, early intervention in schools, and policies that target cumulative disadvantage rather than relying solely on post‑16 or post‑18 interventions.
- Place‑sensitive, locally tailored support is essential, emphasising job creation, employer engagement, and alignment with local opportunity structures rather than uniform national programmes.
The response was prepared by the Equalise work theme with contributions from:
- Niamh Bridson-Hubbard, Research Assistant
- Audrey Tan, Impact Manager
We would be pleased to speak further about our response. Please contact Niamh Bridson-Hubbard (niamh.bridson@ucl.ac.uk).