Nearly one in five UK 16 and 17-year-olds are Neets - those neither in employment, education or training - a study seen by the BBC suggests.
Nearly one in five UK 16 and 17-year-olds is a Neet - neither in employment, education or training - a study seen by the BBC suggests.
Official figures say such youths make up 7% of their age group in England.
Official figures say such youths make up 7% of their age group in England.
But research by the London School of Economics (LSE) says 18% across the UK spend most of their time doing nothing.
But research by the London School of Economics (LSE) says 18% across the UK spend most of their time doing nothing.
Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said: "We are making preparations now for every young person of 16 to 17 to be in education or training."
Children's Minister Beverley Hughes said: "We are making preparations now for every young person of 16 to 17 to be in education or training."
'Narrowly focused'
'Narrowly focused'
Official figures take into account any work or training by young people over several weeks - no matter how limited.
Official figures take into account any work or training by young people over several weeks - no matter how limited.
But the LSE's researchers based their analysis on what teenagers spend most of their time doing - putting the number of Neets at 18% of 16 and 17-year-olds across the UK.
But the LSE's researchers based their analysis on what teenagers spend most of their time doing - putting the number of Neets at 18% of 16 and 17-year-olds across the UK.
If these young people don't have the skills and abilities that their potential employers are going to need, then they are not going to get jobs CBI
If these young people don't have the skills and abilities that their potential employers are going to need, then they are not going to get jobs CBI
The government has put great effort into reducing Neets after Gordon Brown told 16 and 17-year-olds that "doing nothing" was not an option.
The government has put great effort into reducing Neets after Gordon Brown told 16 and 17-year-olds that "doing nothing" was not an option.
It says that there are 20,000 fewer Neets in 2008 than in the previous 12 months.
It says that there are 20,000 fewer Neets in 2008 than in the previous 12 months.
One young person, Helen Steward, told the BBC how she ended up as a Neet.
One young person, Helen Steward, told the BBC how she ended up as a Neet.
"Out of my whole year there was about 100 of us, and 30 to 40, like myself, were not in employment, further education or any kind of training, just not doing anything with their lives, just sitting at home doing nothing," she said.
"Out of my whole year there was about 100 of us, and 30 to 40, like myself, were not in employment, further education or any kind of training, just not doing anything with their lives, just sitting at home doing nothing," she said.
Julia Neal of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers said that the curriculum was not giving young people the skills they needed.
Julia Neal of the Association of Teachers and Lecturers said that the curriculum was not giving young people the skills they needed.
"It's being too narrowly focused on tests and targets," the spokesperson added.
"It's being too narrowly focused on tests and targets," the spokesperson added.
Richard Wainer, education and skills adviser to the CBI, argued that a significant proportion of younger people's potential was being wasted.
Richard Wainer, education and skills adviser to the CBI, argued that a significant proportion of younger people's potential was being wasted.
"If these young people don't have the skills and abilities that their potential employers are going to need, then they are not going to get jobs and that's going to lead to real social and economic problems," they said.
"If these young people don't have the skills and abilities that their potential employers are going to need, then they are not going to get jobs and that's going to lead to real social and economic problems," they said.
Ms Hughes said that the number of Neets was being reduced "through raising the participation age and through improving the quality the variety and the flexibility of education and training provision through diplomas and apprenticeships that will be available to them". Are you a Neet or do you know a young person who fits the Neet description? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
Ms Hughes said that the number of Neets was being reduced "through raising the participation age and through improving the quality the variety and the flexibility of education and training provision through diplomas and apprenticeships that will be available to them". Are you a Neet or do you know a young person who fits the Neet description? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
