Andy Burnham Overhauls Schools to Boost Youth Employment

Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced a fundamental shake-up of the secondary school system to increase youth employment and reduce the number of people not in education, employment, or training (Neet). Data from early 2026 showed that Neets reached 1.01 million, prompting the government to introduce new technical education routes for 14-year-olds starting in September 2028. Year 10 pupils will be able to combine core academic subjects, such as English and mathematics, with technical training tailored to local job markets.

To support this shift, the government will update Ofsted inspection criteria to recognize high-quality technical education and prioritize funding for vocational pathways. Alongside these school reforms, the government is introducing tougher conditions for Department for Work and Pensions benefit claimants to encourage them to enter the workforce. These measures follow a May report by Alan Milburn warning that Britain risked creating a lost generation of workers.

Former minister Alan Milburn welcomed the steps as consistent with his review. However, Shadow Education Secretary Laura Trott criticized the plan as being all over the place, claiming the announcements did not undo the damage Labour has already done to the job market. The Liberal Democrats and school leaders' unions also raised concerns, calling for clearer funding details and greater flexibility.