The Local Youth Opportunity Index reveals there is around one suitable vacancy for every 22 young people in places like Rotherham, compared with one for every four young people in the Cotswolds. 

Avnee Morjaria, associate director at IPPR, said: ‘Young people need a route into adulthood, not a maze of disconnected schemes and services. The Milburn Review is a chance to fundamentally reset our approach: creating real opportunities, opening up high-quality apprenticeships and giving every young person access to a trusted adviser and the financial security they need to take the next step. A young person's postcode or circumstances should not decide whether they get the chance to build a working life.'

Of local authorities with available data, nine of the 10 with the highest number of suitable vacancies per young adults were in the South, while four of the worst areas were in the Midlands, with the rest in Yorkshire, Scotland, Wales and the East of England. 

The report also identified a major failure to use apprenticeships consistently as a route into skilled work. 

Health and social work were among the sectors offering the most apprenticeships, however.

The authors warn the government the employment-support system is failing to reach a large part of the population it is supposed to help. Jobcentre Plus is principally organised around people receiving Universal Credit, yet around half of young people who are NEET do not receive it.

IPPR called on the Government and the Milburn Review to:

• create a ‘Work Start' programme funding jobs in areas with too few entry-level opportunities, with local leaders shaping jobs around local priorities 
• rebuild career pathways by reforming apprenticeships to prioritise young people and create many more entry-level opportunities 
• build a universal youth employment service with personalised support and a new youth allowance, replacing different Universal Credit rates based on work capability and helping young people move into work, education and training.