The move follows new figures showing 32,100 so-called ‘Phantom NEETs' – young people whose education, employment or training status is unknown to their council.

Existing data shows that participation in education and apprenticeships ranges massively across the country, from 71.8% to 94.2%.

The gap varies sharply between areas: North Lincolnshire Council said it had no information on almost half of its 16- and 17-year-olds, while only four councils could account for every young person in their patch.

To help close the gap, ministers are rolling out a new ‘Risk of NEET Indicator,' using data such as school attendance, special educational needs and care history to flag teenagers who may need support before they fall through the cracks, backed by fresh guidance for schools and colleges.

The education secretary will also write to the 26 worst-performing councils, who do not know the activities of 3% or more of their teenagers, to tell them to draw up improvement plans over the next six months.

‘Accurate, timely tracking is not a box-ticking exercise, it's the difference between a young person getting support early or falling through the cracks entirely. While local authorities do incredibly difficult work, often against real constraints, it's not consistent enough,' said Phillipson.

‘We're supporting councils to intervene early to help, as part of our new deal for young people, to ensure they realise their potential through worthwhile training and stable careers.'

Cllr Liam Robinson, chair of the Local Government Association's Inclusive Growth Committee, said: ‘Councils are all too aware of the impact disengagement can have on a young person's life prospects, the community they live in, and the wider economy. 

‘In some areas, pressures on council budgets have reduced resources and hampered their ability to fulfil their statutory duties. Similarly, there has been changes in national funding for community-based re-engagement provision, which is desperately needed to support young people who are, or at risk of becoming, NEET, or where a college setting may not be appropriate for their needs.  

‘Despite this, councils continue to work hard to provide a range of targeted support and identify young people most at risk of disengaging early, through work with schools, careers hubs and colleges. New tools to help partners locally identify young people at risk of being NEET will be very helpful. 

 

 ‘But councils need sufficient resources from Government to help address the post 16 offer and meet their range of statutory duties, as well as faster roll out of the Youth Guarantee and apprenticeships across the country, to provide sufficient support so young people no matter where they live have the support they need to get on in life.'