Prime Minister Andy Burnham called youth unemployment in Britain an "economic catastrophe and a moral failure" in a Times opinion column published Monday, citing nearly one million people aged 16 to 24 classified as Neets, meaning not in education, employment or training.

According to the latest Office for National Statistics data cited by Burnham, approximately 39 percent of Neets are unemployed while 61 percent are economically inactive and not seeking work. The number of 18 to 24-year-olds claiming unemployment-related benefits stands at 331,000, nearly double the 2016 figure but lower than peaks of around 500,000 following the 2008 financial crisis and Covid lockdowns.

Burnham attributed the crisis to two years of Covid lockdowns, social media affecting youth confidence, an education system emphasizing the university route, job markets with insufficient opportunities and failures of previous governments. He wrote that the current welfare system fails to provide support or skills development, stating "Today, the welfare system provides an assessment, a payment and, after that, goodbye."

The government plans to announce this week 22,400 apprenticeships annually in accountancy, legal services and consulting sectors, plus 40,000 construction industry placements. Burnham proposed shifting welfare to begin "with their ambitions and the help they need to achieve them" rather than determining benefit eligibility first. He stated "We either invest in the success of our young people or pay for failure through the benefits system. We cannot afford to do both."

Alan Milburn, author of a forthcoming government review on young people and work, suggested welfare cuts may be necessary. The former health secretary told the Guardian that government spends 25 times more on benefits for young people than getting them into work, calling the Neet rate "shameful."

The Conservative Party's shadow business and trade secretary Julia Lopez called Labour's youth employment strategy "a disaster," citing tax hikes and red tape. The party proposed cutting 36 billion pounds annually from welfare including reintroducing a two-child limit for Universal Credit. The Green Party deputy co-leader Mothin Ali accused Labour of planning a "welfare cuts charter that would take support away from young people who are already struggling and vulnerable."

Burnham confirmed full review publication next month. Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden supports Milburn's proposal for a parallel benefits system for under-25s, though legislation would be required. Chancellor John Healey's first Budget on October 28 is not expected to address welfare substantially, with a bill prepared for a New Year parliamentary vote.