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More youths not in jobs or school More youths not in jobs or school
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The proportion of young people in England not in education, employment or training has increased to more than one in 10, government figures show.The proportion of young people in England not in education, employment or training has increased to more than one in 10, government figures show.
At the end of 2007, 9.7% of youngsters were considered to be such "Neets", but by the end of 2008, this rose to 10.3%.At the end of 2007, 9.7% of youngsters were considered to be such "Neets", but by the end of 2008, this rose to 10.3%.
The government says this is due to reduced employment among young people.The government says this is due to reduced employment among young people.
But the government says a record number of 16 to 18-year-olds - 1.61 million - were in education or training by the end of 2008, up by 34,000 on 2007.But the government says a record number of 16 to 18-year-olds - 1.61 million - were in education or training by the end of 2008, up by 34,000 on 2007.
The statistics were released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families. The statistics, released by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, showed a significant rise in the proportion of 18-year-olds who are not in education, work or training.
The figures showed the proportion of 16-year-olds classified as Neets was 5.2%, the lowest proportion for more than a decade. At the end of 2008, 16.6% of 18-year-olds fell into the Neet category - up from 14.2% in 2007.
But the proportion of 18 year-olds Neets has risen by 2.4 percentage points to 16.6%. However, the figures showed the proportion of 16-year-olds classified as Neets was 5.2%, the lowest proportion for more than a decade.
The figures also showed participation in full-time education or training has risen among 16, 17 and 18-year-olds.The figures also showed participation in full-time education or training has risen among 16, 17 and 18-year-olds.
At the end of 2008, 92.7% of 16-year-olds, 83.5% of 17-year-olds and 63.4% of 18-year-olds were in full-time education or training.At the end of 2008, 92.7% of 16-year-olds, 83.5% of 17-year-olds and 63.4% of 18-year-olds were in full-time education or training.
'Desperate''Desperate'
Children's charity Barnardo's said the situation for young people leaving school at 16 and wanting to work or train in the workplace was "desperate".Children's charity Barnardo's said the situation for young people leaving school at 16 and wanting to work or train in the workplace was "desperate".
Chief executive Martin Narey said the proportion of Neet young people had hovered around 9-10% of the age group for the past decade.Chief executive Martin Narey said the proportion of Neet young people had hovered around 9-10% of the age group for the past decade.
He added: "But beneath this, there are two clear trends: a steady rise in the number of young people staying on in full-time education, and the steady decline in employment and work-based learning opportunities for young people aged 16-18.He added: "But beneath this, there are two clear trends: a steady rise in the number of young people staying on in full-time education, and the steady decline in employment and work-based learning opportunities for young people aged 16-18.
"We urgently need a more relevant education system - with more vocational options for young people who are not suited to narrow, academic learning - and more opportunity to learn in the workplace, to gain the skills and experience that employers demand.""We urgently need a more relevant education system - with more vocational options for young people who are not suited to narrow, academic learning - and more opportunity to learn in the workplace, to gain the skills and experience that employers demand."
The government has promised to reduce the proportion of youngsters considered to be Neets.The government has promised to reduce the proportion of youngsters considered to be Neets.
This is because these young people are much more likely than their peers to suffer long term unemployment, poverty and to get involved in crime.This is because these young people are much more likely than their peers to suffer long term unemployment, poverty and to get involved in crime.