TEACHERS have warned Lucy Powell that schools “cannot be expected to do more with less” as the Education Secretary promises to tackle Britain’s “Neets crisis.”

Ms Powell’s pledge to help young people not in employment, education or training must be accompanied by a decisive break from “15 years of austerity and underinvestment” if it is to succeed, the National Education Union (NEU) said.

Speaking ahead of A-level and T-level results day on Thursday, the Education Secretary referred to the nearly 58,000 18-year-olds in England who will not get results this week because they have dropped out of education and training, although some are in employment.

Ms Powell said: “It’s a big number. We know that they’re more likely to be not in education and employment for the years to come, already being out of the system.

“This is a clarion call for all of us in government, and business and employers and society more widely, to really address this issue because this has a huge impact not just on those individuals for the rest of their lives, but on society and the economy for years to come.”

Her comments followed a recommendation by former health secretary Alan Milburn, who is leading a review into the issue, that primary schools should identify children most at risk of becoming Neets.

NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede told the Morning Star: “At a time when the number of 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training has surpassed one million, Lucy Powell is right to focus on actions to take to tackle this crisis.

“A revolution in vocational and technical qualifications and education has been promised by the new government.

“Although this is welcome, these changes will quickly hit the buffers if they are not supported with a sustained programme of investment.

“The fact is that the education system is running on empty after over 15 years of austerity and underinvestment.

“Schools cannot be expected to do more and more with less. If the government’s good intentions are to succeed they need to make a decisive break and start investing in education.”

Ms Powell made clear there is no “silver bullet” to solve the crisis, but said she will be focusing on a “revolution in vocational and technical qualifications and education.”