APPG Call for Evidence: How do poverty and structural inequalities shape young people’s likelihood of becoming NEET?

Posted on 30 Mar 2026 under News, Latest News

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Poverty and Inequality is conducting an Inquiry into the situation of young people not in employment, education or training (NEET).  We are examining how poverty and structural inequalities shape young people’s likelihood of becoming NEET, and how the social security conditionality regime affects their engagement with employment and education.  The Inquiry is being conducted in parallel with the 

Government-commissioned Report by the Right Honourable Alan Milburn on the drivers of the increase in the number of young people who are NEET, and the related inquiry by the Select Committee on Work and Pensions on youth employment, education and training.  

We believe that you/your organisation may be able to provide data, information and insight into the issues confronting young people who find themselves not in employment, education or training.  The areas our Inquiry will consider are:

1. the structural drivers of NEET status eg poverty, income, geography, education pathways, local services, and the impact of disability and neurodiversity
2. the social security system response to young people who are NEET – who is on benefits, who is not, who is sanctioned
3. the lived experience of disengagement – how young people experience the system
4. the implications of young adult brain development for dealing with young people in NEET status
5. the effectiveness of sanctions – do current policies support re-engagement or push young people away
6. the fairness of sanctions – given the backgrounds of young people in NEET status and what we know about brain development is it fair to place conditionalities and sanctions on young people.

Our aim is then to develop recommendations to reduce poverty and inequality and improve the fairness and effectiveness of policies directed at young people in NEET status.

At this stage our Inquiry is seeking written submissions from relevant organisations and individuals based on academic research, statistics, policy documents, advocacy or lived experience.  We will also directly seek lived experience evidence.

We would prefer relatively brief (up to four pages) submissions, but are very happy for submissions to point to existing publications as backup.  We would also be grateful if you could indicate a contact person to whom we can direct any questions.

As we are working to a tight timeframe, we would be grateful if you could provide your submission by Friday 24th April.  All submissions should be sent to: [email protected]. The Equality Trust acts as the Secretariat of the APPG.

With thanks,

Baroness Lister and Siân Berry MP, 

Co-Chairs of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Poverty and Inequality