THE TUC called for “desperately needed” apprenticeship reforms after the figures showed today the number of young people not in employment, education or training (Neets) remains stubbornly close to a million.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) said that the number of so-called Neets aged 16 to 24 in July to September was estimated to be 946,000, down slightly from 948,000 in April to June.

The proportion of young people who are Neet has been rising since 2021, and the current level is the highest since 2014.

TUC general secretary Paul Nowak said: “These figures are a stark reminder of the toxic Tory legacy this government inherited.”

He added that it is vital that Labour builds its youth guarantee, stronger employment rights, an industrial strategy and apprenticeship reforms into “a comprehensive, co-ordinated plan to ensure all young people across the country can access high-quality training and decent, well-paid work as well as timely and effective healthcare.”

Analysis of Department for Education data between 2017-18 and 2023-24 published by the TUC today found that apprenticeship start rates fell by 26 per cent for under-19s, and by 15 for 19–24-year-olds. 

Achievement rates meanwhile fell by 44 per cent for under-19s, and by 31 for 19-24-year-olds. 

James Toop, chief executive of Teach First, said that the ONS figures mean “futures grinding to a halt… with one of the most anticipated Budgets in years just a week away, the government has a real chance to turn this around.”

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said that the Neets total “is far too high” but “this is a really big challenge that we’ve inherited, and we’re determined to grasp it.”