'It is a catastrophe' - the man battling to stem rising youth unemployment
BBC World
February 22, 2026
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Alan Milburn, a former politician and envoy for youth employment under Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, has returned to his hometown of Newcastle to lead an independent review on the rising issue of youth unemployment across the UK. This comes amid growing concerns over the number of young people out of work, education, or training (NEETs), which has surged by 50% in recent years. Milburn’s mission is particularly urgent as the UK faces long-term economic challenges, with many young people struggling to secure stable jobs due to a combination of automation replacing low-skilled roles and a lack of vocational training opportunities.
The review will focus on identifying why so many young people are disengaged from the job market and how they can be reconnected. Milburn has previously highlighted the importance of collaboration between businesses, schools, and local communities in addressing this crisis. His work is crucial not just for Newcastle but for the entire UK, where youth unemployment rates have remained stubbornly high despite government efforts to create apprenticeships and improve vocational education.
One key factor driving the issue is the mismatch between what young people learn in schools and the skills employers
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/22/2026