More Than One Million Young People Now NEET — How Many More Warnings Do We Need?
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Genuine Futures Responds to the UK’s Growing Youth Opportunity Crisis
The latest national figures showing more than one million young people aged 16–24 are now not in education, employment or training (NEET) should concern every community, every employer, every school, and every decision-maker across the UK.
The independent review led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn has described young people as being “caught in a perfect storm”, warning that the crisis facing Britain’s younger generation is becoming both an economic and moral emergency.
At Genuine Futures, we agree.
But for many of us working directly with young people on the frontline, these findings are not surprising.
We have been witnessing this crisis growing for years.
Across Bolton, Greater Manchester, and communities across the UK, more young people are becoming disconnected from education, employment, and opportunity. Many are losing trust in systems that were supposed to support them.
Behind every statistic is a real young person.
A young person who may have:
- been excluded from school,
- experienced trauma or instability,
- struggled with mental health,
- grown up in poverty,
- left care without support,
- lost confidence,
- or simply never been given a genuine opportunity to thrive.
The danger is that society continues discussing the symptoms while failing to address the deeper causes.
“I’ve Been Calling This Out for Years” — Sam Smith
Sam Smith, Co-Director and Founder of Genuine Futures, says the report reflects what he has seen throughout more than 26 years supporting young people and building businesses rooted in community impact.
“I’ve been calling this out for years, but too often grassroots voices are ignored until the statistics become impossible to hide.
Young people do not suddenly become disengaged at 18. The warning signs are there much earlier — school exclusion, trauma, poverty, unstable home lives, lack of opportunity, and systems that stop listening.
I know personally what it feels like to be failed by the system. After entering care as a child, I spent years trapped in the criminal justice system before eventually rebuilding my life through business and community support.
That lived experience is one of the reasons this work matters so much to me today.
Across our communities, we are seeing talented young people losing belief in themselves because they cannot see a future. Many feel invisible.
We cannot keep producing reports while young people continue to lose hope. We need action, partnership, and long-term investment into real community-led solutions.”
“We Need To Stop Waiting Until Crisis Point” — Mike Alleyne
Mike Alleyne, Co-Director of Genuine Futures, says the current system is too reactive and often intervenes too late.
“We are constantly responding at crisis point instead of investing earlier in prevention, belonging, and opportunity.
Young people need trusted adults, safe spaces, practical experiences, mentoring, employability support, and visible pathways into the world of work.
Many young people have completely disengaged from traditional systems, but that does not mean they lack talent, ambition, or potential.
We have seen first-hand what happens when young people are genuinely listened to, trusted, and given opportunities to lead.”
Building Solutions From the Ground Up
At Genuine Futures, we believe young people need more than conversations about change.
They need visible pathways into opportunity.
That is why we are building practical, community-led solutions through:
- Boss Your Future
- We Shine Any Car
- Clean Futures
- youth-led enterprise projects
- employability programmes
- mentoring
- community outreach
- and real-world work experience opportunities
Our approach is built around restoring trust, confidence, purpose, and belonging.
We are not simply talking about employability.
We are creating environments where young people can:
- build confidence,
- gain practical experience,
- develop enterprise and life skills,
- reconnect with their communities,
- and begin believing in themselves again.
We have already seen young people who were previously disengaged:
- return to education
- secure employment
- explore self-employment
- become youth ambassadors
- and support others coming behind them
The Bottom Rung of Opportunity Is Disappearing
One of the most worrying findings within the national review is that the “bottom rung” of employment is becoming harder to access.
Young people are increasingly being asked to have experience before they are given experience.
Entry-level jobs are disappearing.
Traditional pathways into work are shrinking.
At the same time, many young people feel overwhelmed by rejection, social pressure, uncertainty, and a lack of direction.
The emotional impact of this crisis cannot be ignored.
Many young people no longer believe there is a place for them.
We Need Grassroots Organisations at the Table
As future recommendations are developed nationally, Genuine Futures believes grassroots organisations, youth workers, employers, care-experienced young people, and community leaders must have a genuine seat at the table.
Those closest to the problem must help shape the solutions.
Too often, policy conversations happen without the voices of people working directly with young people every day.
We need:
- earlier intervention,
- stronger community partnerships,
- practical pathways into work,
- more employer involvement,
- enterprise opportunities,
- trusted mentors,
- and long-term investment into prevention.
This is not simply about reducing unemployment figures.
It is about restoring futures.
“Talent Is Everywhere. Opportunity Is Not.”
Genuine Futures believes the UK is now at a crossroads.
Without urgent action, more young people will continue to become disconnected from education, employment, and society itself.
But with the right partnerships, investment, and belief in young people, change is possible.
“This is not about fixing young people,” says Sam Smith.
“This is about fixing the gaps around them and creating environments where they can finally thrive.
Talent is everywhere. Opportunity is not.
We are ready to help build the solutions — but grassroots organisations and young people themselves must finally be heard.”
About Genuine Futures
Genuine Futures is a youth-led social enterprise based in Bolton, Greater Manchester, supporting young people through enterprise, employability, mentoring, community engagement, and real-world opportunities.
The organisation works alongside businesses, communities, and partners to help restore hope, confidence, and opportunity for young people facing barriers to education, employment, and training.
To partner with Genuine Futures or support the mission, visit:
https://genuinefutures.co.uk