One in eight of all people aged 16 to 24 years in the UK were not in education, employment or training in January to March 2025, according to new data out today.
The figures, released by the Office for National Statistics, show that overall 12.5 per cent young people were unemployed through the first quarter of 2025. The number stood at 923,000 young people not in education, employment or training up to March 2025
Today the government also launched its Youth Guarantee in an attempt to provide targeted support into work for young people.
Max Rutherford, Director of Programmes and Influencing at People’s Health Trust, said:
“The number of young people out of work and education is an urgent crisis. It's more important than ever that young people furthest from employment, such as those with mental health problems, are supported to find and keep good work.
That's why we're so pleased to be partnering with expert community organisations (MAP, in Norwich; 42nd Street in Manchester; No Limits in Southampton) in three cities in England to test a brand new approach that combines accredited mental health services with Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment pathways.”
The Trust’s Good Work for Young People's Mental Health priority is being evaluated by world-leading academics through NIHR School for Public Health Research.
Find out more about the programme here.