Not in Education, Employment, or Training — a global youth employment label
Milburn is leading a review that proposes primary schools identify students at risk of becoming NEET by end of primary, paired with welfare reforms. The Guardian, The Mirror and other outlets show a debate on how much schools should intervene in future employment outcomes, welfare costs, and mental health supports.
Graduate job openings in the UK have fallen to 8,383 in July, a 45% drop from a year ago and the lowest since Adzuna began tracking the data in 2016. Competition per vacancy has risen while overall listings in key sectors have contracted. Some sectors are still hiring, and employers are shifting to AI and automation.
The Cockroach Janta Party has launched a peaceful march planned for Sept. 5 in New Delhi, led by families of NEET exam-affected students and victims of police violence. Protests followed the NEET paper leak and the resignation of Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan. The government has faced criticism for delaying commitments and for police action during the demonstrations.
Labour has announced that vocational GCSEs will be introduced alongside compulsory scientific and academic GCSEs, with courses in construction, child development, and creative media production starting from 2029. Ofqual will regulate content and grading to ensure parity with traditional GCSEs, and schools will be encouraged to provide more work experience opportunities to 14‑16-year-olds.
The Childhood Lottery analysis has identified Middlesbrough as the hardest place to grow up in England and Cheshire East as the least challenging. It shows wide disparities in education, health, safety, and funding, prompting calls for minimum standards and a national fund for improvement, with mayors and local authorities urged to take stronger roles.