"I've applied for factories, care work, hospital work - anything to just get a job to support me and my son," says 20-year-old mum Libby. She says she's sent hundreds of job applications to employers in Grimsby, Lincolnshire, with no success. "I've walked around the shops, gone into businesses giving out my CV," she tells the BBC. "Day to day it is depressing, because you don't hear anything back, you're constantly trying to find a job, trying to fight for a job, and you hear nothing." She is one of 923,000 16-24-year-olds estimated to have been not in education, employment or training - Neet - in the first three months of 2025, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). That equates to roughly one in eight people aged 16 to 24. Although Friday's Neets figures show a slight decrease on the same period last year, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall says "there are still nearly a million young people locked out of the system and being written off". The ONS publishes estimates on Neets every three months, with February's figures showing an11-year high of 987,000. Libby is now doing a first aid course at a local charity centre, having been referred there by a job centre, with the aim of pursuing her dream of running her own dog grooming business. But Grimsby haslower rates of employmentfor all adults than the national average, making it harder for young people there to find work. Curtis, 22, is doing the same first aid course as Libby. He is on Universal Credit while looking for work and says he has also applied for hundreds of jobs. "I don't want to be unemployed," he says. "I'm sick of feeling like I have a lack of purpose. I want to work on a forklift or work in a shop doing customer service. It's not like I'm asking to be Prime Minister." The ONS produces its estimates from its Labour Force Survey. The survey has seen fewer people respond in recent years, which makes the results more volatile than they were previously. The majority of young people who are Neet in the latest figures are economically inactive (569,000), meaning they are not actively seeking work, compared to 354,000 who are unemployed but actively looking for jobs. The number of economically inactive young people is down 29,000 on the same period last year, but the number of unemployed people looking for work has increased by 21,000. A rise in long-term sickness among young people has been one of the main causes of economic inactivity over the past three years, according to analysis of previous ONS stats by the Youth Futures Foundation. And in 2023, almost one out of every five young people who were Neet (19.5%) had a mental health condition, according to the latest yearly Department for Education figures. One area experiencing these issues is Cornwall, where seasonal work, unaffordable housing and a lack of accessible mental health support are all hurdles for young people in finding work. Tegan, from Newquay, has been economically inactive for some time after she never passed her maths and English GCSEs, having struggled for years with her mental health. "It's meant that I've been left in this really quite big void of not really knowing how to get back into life, how to get back into education," the 23-year-old says. "It's really difficult when you're trying to recover and get yourself back on track, and as well as doing that you have to fight your way through a system that isn't all that supportive." She is now being supported by a mental health charity offering care in the community, and plans to go to college and pass those GCSEs. Even for people who have been to university, though, there is no guarantee of a job. Graduates make up 10.6% of Friday's Neet figures, equivalent to about 90,000 young people, according to analysis by the Youth Futures Foundation. Inaz Hussain, who lives in Bristol, graduated in 2022 with a degree in film production but has been unemployed for six months, despite previously getting a few short-term contracts and internships. He is now applying for jobs in marketing, communications, retail and hospitality. "Yes I got a degree, but what can I show for it?" he says. "I've lost track of how many jobs I've applied to." He thinks older generations need to be more understanding of the difficulties young people face in finding a job. "We just hear that we're lazy, we're not resilient," he says. "I've been trying to do the right thing and it's a bit of a kick in the teeth." Kendall argues that the decrease in Neets represents "progress", but she is "determined to change" the overall number which remains high. She says the government is investing £45m in a youth guarantee "to give every young person the chance to get on in life". The trickier challenge will be tackling the number of young people who are not looking for work at all, a complex issue involving many factors.
'I've applied for hundreds of jobs': One in eight youths not in work or education
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"New Statistics Reveal One in Eight Young People in the UK Are Not in Education or Employment"
Bbc News
7.1
TruthLens AI Summary
The struggle for employment among young people in the UK has become increasingly evident, with recent statistics revealing that approximately one in eight individuals aged 16 to 24 are not engaged in education, employment, or training (NEET). This equates to about 923,000 youths, as reported by the Office for National Statistics (ONS). The situation is particularly dire in areas like Grimsby, where Libby, a 20-year-old mother, has sent out hundreds of job applications without success. She expresses her frustration at the lack of responses despite her proactive efforts, including distributing her CV directly to local businesses. While the latest figures show a slight decrease in NEET numbers compared to the previous year, Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall highlights that nearly a million young people remain marginalized and disconnected from the job market. The statistics indicate that a significant portion of NEET individuals are economically inactive, with long-term sickness and mental health issues being major contributing factors to this trend. In fact, nearly 20% of NEET youths reported having a mental health condition, underscoring the importance of addressing mental health support in conjunction with employment opportunities.
The challenges faced by young people seeking work extend beyond geographical limitations, as many struggle with the perceived stigma of being unemployed. Curtis, a 22-year-old participant in a first aid course alongside Libby, shares his frustration with the job search process, stating that he does not aspire to high-profile positions; he simply wants a job that provides a sense of purpose. The ONS data further reveals that the number of unemployed youths actively seeking work has increased, complicating the landscape of youth employment. The Youth Futures Foundation has noted that graduates also face significant hurdles, with around 10.6% of NEET individuals holding degrees. Inaz Hussain, a recent film production graduate, exemplifies this struggle as he finds himself jobless despite applying for numerous positions. While Kendall acknowledges the recent decrease in NEET figures as a positive sign, she emphasizes the need for continued efforts to support young people in overcoming the barriers to employment, particularly for those who have become disengaged from the workforce altogether.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article presents a stark portrayal of the challenges faced by young people in the workforce, specifically highlighting the experiences of individuals like Libby and Curtis. Their stories exemplify the struggles of many youths who are caught in a cycle of unemployment and lack of educational opportunities. This narrative aims to raise awareness about the pressing issue of youth unemployment and the emotional toll it takes on individuals who are desperately seeking work.
Underlying Purpose
The intention behind this article seems to be to shed light on the alarming number of young people who are not engaged in education, employment, or training. By sharing personal accounts, the article humanizes the statistics and emphasizes the urgency of addressing youth unemployment. The mention of government officials, like Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall, serves to call attention to the need for systemic change and support for these individuals.
Public Perception
The article aims to evoke empathy from readers and create a sense of urgency regarding youth unemployment. By spotlighting personal stories, it seeks to foster a connection between the audience and the affected individuals, potentially motivating public discourse and action on this issue. The narrative may also provoke a critical view of existing support systems and the effectiveness of government initiatives in addressing unemployment.
Omissions and Bias
While the article focuses on the struggles faced by young job seekers, it may downplay other factors contributing to youth unemployment, such as economic conditions, educational disparities, or changes in industry demands. This selective storytelling could lead to a skewed perception of the problem, potentially obscuring broader economic and social issues that are at play.
Manipulative Aspects
The article could be seen as manipulative due to its emotional appeal and focus on personal anecdotes, which may overshadow a more comprehensive analysis of the economic landscape affecting youth employment. The language used is poignant, aiming to elicit sympathy and concern rather than presenting a balanced view of the various factors influencing youth unemployment.
Credibility
Regarding the reliability of the information, the article cites statistics from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), which lends it credibility. However, the article's emotional framing may affect how the data is perceived. While the statistics are accurate, the narrative may influence readers' understanding of the broader context of youth unemployment.
Societal Impact
The implications of this article could be significant in terms of public policy and societal attitudes towards youth unemployment. It may galvanize community support for initiatives aimed at helping young people gain employment and access education. Furthermore, it could influence political discourse surrounding economic policies and social welfare programs.
Community Support
This article may resonate more with communities concerned about youth welfare, social justice, and economic inequality. It is likely to attract support from organizations focused on youth development and employment initiatives, as well as from politicians advocating for systemic change.
Market Implications
While this article might not have a direct impact on stock markets, it could influence sectors related to youth employment, such as education, training programs, and social services. Companies involved in workforce development may see increased interest and investment as awareness of youth unemployment grows.
Global Context
While the article is primarily focused on a specific geographic area, the issue of youth unemployment is a global concern. Economic recovery, particularly in post-pandemic contexts, is a relevant topic, making this article part of a larger conversation about labor markets worldwide.
AI Influence
There is no direct indication that artificial intelligence was used in crafting this article, but AI models could analyze trends and public sentiment surrounding youth employment. If AI were involved, it might have influenced the identification of key issues or the framing of personal stories to enhance reader engagement.
The analysis reveals that while the article is grounded in factual data, its emotional framing and focus on personal narratives may lead to a perception of bias. The intent appears to be to highlight a critical issue in society, advocating for increased awareness and action regarding youth unemployment.