General · 26 February 2026
957,000 young people are without jobs or school
Official data reveals that the count of 16 to 24-year-olds outside of education or employment rose late in 2025. The Office for National Statistics recorded 957,000 individuals in this category, equalling 12.8% of the age group. This uptick links to reduced hiring within hospitality and graduate sectors. Meanwhile, the government plans to remove benefits from long-term unemployed youth who reject guaranteed work placements.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs