04.11.11: Off the map? The geography of NEETs

The Private Equity Foundation alongside the Work Foundation have today launched Off the map? The geography of NEETs. The report examines NEET rates for 16 – 24 year olds across Great Britain. It identifies a group of blackspots for the problem and argues that without effective, targeted action from government and business, a generation of young people in these cities will face a bleak future in the labour market.

Shaks Ghosh, Chief Executive, Private Equity Foundation, said: "This report has highlighted the great disparity in opportunities for young people across Great Britain.  The fact that nearly a quarter of 16 to 24 year olds are disengaged from education or employment in certain cities is not only shocking but very sad. Children from deprived areas urgently need the right support to continue in school, go to college or to get a job. To neglect these NEETs, risks a crisis in too many of our communities”

Among the chief blackspots identified are cities such as Grimsby, Doncaster and Blackpool. Parts of London, such as Hackney and Newham, also have high rates of young people NEET.

Of those cities with relatively low levels of NEETs, Oxford, Aberdeen and York come out as the best performers, with cities such as Portsmouth and Plymouth also coming performing well.

NEET blackspots face major social problems unless action is taken at local and national levels to tackle the issue. The report recommends that local government focuses on the better coordination of services at a local level, ensuring clear pathways between school, education and the world of work. It also calls on the government to ensure better data is made available to analyse the extent of the problem.

Highest NEET LEVELS

Rank   City                                         NEET Rate

1.         Grimsby                                  Very High: Almost 25%

2.         Doncaster                               Very High: Almost 25%

3.         Warrington & Wigan                Very High: Almost 25%

4.         Blackpool                                High: Around 20%

5.         Rochdale & Oldham               High: Around 20%

6.         Wirral & Ellesmere Port          High: Around 20%

7.         Birmingham                            High: Around 20%

8.         Barnsley                                  High: Around 20%

9.         Swansea                                 High: Around 20%

10.       Newcastle                               High: Around 20%

Lowest NEET LEVELS

Rank   City                                         NEET Rate

1.         Oxford                                     Very Low: Less than 10%

2.         Aberdeen                                Very Low: Less than 10%

3.         York                                        Low: Around 10%

4.         Plymouth                                 Low: Around 10%

5.         Cambridge                              Low: Around 10%

6.         Guildford                                 Low: Around 10%

7.         Bristol                                      Low: Around 10%

8.         Luton & Watford                      Low: Around 10%

9.         Southampton                          Low: Around 10%

10.       Milton Keynes                         Low: Around 10%

Source: LFS 2009 / 2010