Andy Burnham says long-awaited Neets report 'watershed moment' for jobless youngsters

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Andy Burnham said there will be big implications for the welfare state from Alan Milburn's review into the almost one million young people not in education, employment or work

A major report into the Neets crisis will be a “watershed” moment for the country, Andy Burnham has said.

The Prime Minister insisted there will be big implications for the welfare state when Alan Milburn publishes his review next week into the almost one million young people not in education, employment or work.

He said: "Let’s wait for the detail and you will hear from me and of course from the Work and Pensions Secretary next week in response.”

Mr Burnham added: “I think it's really important to see the report as quite a watershed moment in terms of how we think about supporting young people and supporting young people into work.

“It's starting to point to a very different way of thinking about about welfare and support, and moving more towards guaranteeing support for young people to move forward and get into work, rather than leaving them in a situation where they don't get the support when they need it, and then end up in benefits in their twenties.

“Nobody, nobody wants that. So there are big implications, but I think we'll have to wait for the report.”

His comments come after Mr Milburn suggested a radical change to the existing system, with some young people receiving less financial support under his proposals. Under his plans, under-25s would no longer be able to claim the health element of Universal Credit or Personal Independence Payments (Pip).

According to the Times, they would instead move on to a new system, paid at the same level as the standard rate of universal credit - but with fewer people entitled. But the proposals - also expected to include recommendations for massive investment into work support schemes—have caused some concern among campaigners.

Some left-wing MPs including Clive Lewis have also expressed concerns over reports. He posted on X: “I’m deeply disappointed that Alan Milburn has chosen to discuss potentially life-changing welfare proposals in the media before his report has even been published or scrutinised by Parliament.”

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