New statistics show NEET numbers fell by 30,000 on the previous quarter in April to June 2026, representing 13% of all young people aged 16-24, down by 0.5 percentage points.

Analysis by The Health Foundation shows poor health is an increasingly important part of this picture with nearly half of young people who are NEET reporting a health condition that limits their ability to work.

Sam Atwell, policy and research manager at The Health Foundation, said: ‘Alan Milburn's final report into NEETs and Peter Fonagy's review into the prevalence of mental health and neurodevelopmental conditions, both due to report this autumn, should prompt Government to build a system that gives young people the support and opportunities they need to manage their health and participate in work or education.'

Work and pensions secretary Pat McFadden said: ‘We are determined to turn the tide on the youth unemployment crisis, which has been years in the making with the number of young people not in education, employment or training rising by 248,000 between 2021 and 2024.

‘These latest figures underline why we are addressing youth inactivity as a priority.

 ‘The Jobs Guarantee is already supporting those most in need with the first young people to be supported by the scheme now in work, and our wider £2.5bn investment will help create almost a million opportunities to earn or learn. Further reform will follow the Milburn Review, which will report shortly.'

The figures come after Sainsbury's announced it was joining the national drive to tackle youth unemployment.