New report warns young people in the UK are ‘abandoned’ on benefits

A government-commissioned review led by former Labour minister Alan Milburn warns that Britain risks creating an “anxious generation” of young people struggling to adapt to modern working life. Milburn says the government spends 25 times as much on benefits for young people than it does on supporting them into work, which he describes as “shameful”. Nearly one million 16- to 24-year-olds are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), with mental health issues now cited as the main barrier to work by 43% of economically inactive young people — up sharply from 24% in 2011. The report, due to be published this week, argues that social media and smartphone use have reshaped how young people communicate, sleep and manage stress, contributing to anxiety, isolation and reduced readiness for work. Milburn rejects claims that younger generations are simply “soft” or unwilling to work, instead calling for employers to offer more flexible jobs and stronger mental health support. The review also warns that the UK’s youth inactivity rates are significantly higher than those of many comparable countries, raising concerns about long-term economic and social consequences if reforms are not introduced. Read more here.