In response to the interim findings of the Milburn Review, we said:

“The findings of Alan Milburn’s interim report reveal a stark imbalance at the heart of the system: for every £1 spent on employment support for young people, £25 is spent on keeping those same young people on benefits.

At ERSA, we know that our members and the wider employment support sector already have practical, evidence-based answers to some of the most pressing issues facing young people not in education, employment or training.

The report highlights that the vast majority of NEET young people want a job or access to training, but unless urgent action is taken one in six young people will not be in education, employment or training within five years.

We believe that existing employment support programmes can be repurposed to help young people earlier, rather than waiting for them to meet strict eligibility criteria.

Additionally, providers across the country, with decades of experience supporting those furthest from the labour market, should be empowered to deliver tried and tested approaches that help young people move into sustainable work, training and apprenticeships.

ERSA looks forward to the next stage of Milburn’s work, moving beyond the diagnostics to solutions. ERSA will encourage the sector to contribute and will coordinate sector responses.”