Chancellor should make a NEET exception to her 'policy-free' Spring Forecast

02 Mar 2026

The Chancellor should use the Spring Forecast to take action on youth unemployment, says the Resolution Foundation.

The number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) increased slightly at the end of last year to reach 957,000, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

The recent uptick in young people (those aged 16-24) who are NEET has been driven by a weakening jobs market which has left almost one-in-six young people who want to work unable to find a job.

The Resolution Foundation says that unemployment has been a persistent reason for being NEET, accounting for two-in-five NEET young people.

The government needs to act fast to tackle this growing problem, says the think tank.

Louise Murphy, Senior Economist at the Resolution Foundation, said: 'Britain is perilously close to having a million young people not in education, employment or training for the first time in 13 years.

'The Chancellor has an opportunity to take fast and decisive action to address this problem at the Spring Forecast. She should make a NEET exception to the 'policy-free' fiscal event by expanding eligibility to the Jobs Guarantee for young people, and making sure support arrives soon. The government should also pause further alignment of youth minimum wage rates until youth unemployment is falling.'