A NEET round up

Currently there are around 900,000 NEET young people and the OECD predicts that young people are likely to experience prolonged periods of joblessness. This policy challenge will focus the minds of whichever party forms the next UK Government.

Even before the first day in office, intentions from the three main parties are clear. In all the manifestos youth unemployment has been highlighted as a critical issue but each party has a different method to tackle it. A Conservative Government will put the third sector centre stage and will focus on using charities to help “Get Britain Working”. The overall key theme running through their manifesto is the need for Big Society, not big Government. They would like to see an expansion of social enterprises and volunteering. On day one of the campaign, David Cameron launched the Conservative National Citizen Service (with the help of Sir Michael Caine). This will be a voluntary summer service scheme that will bring together young people from a variety of backgrounds. Conservatives also hope to use intermediaries such as charitable trusts and foundations to help grow social enterprises.

Labour’s manifesto pledges numerous guarantees to voters on their key commitments. On youth unemployment, Labour will guarantee every young person education and training until 18 with a target of 75% going to HE, going on an advanced apprenticeships or technical level training by the age of 30. Labour has also committed to at least 50 hours of volunteering to their community by the age of 19. The Liberal Democrats have continued to put their paid internship scheme at the heart of their NEET policy.

A critical test for whoever is in Government will be tackling the numbers of young people unemployed and inactive. In the first 100 days of any new Government, there are likely to be a huge number of policy announcements which will present both challenges and opportunities for our charities. At this time of change we will help our charities navigate this changing political environment and support them so more young people can benefit from their life changing interventions.