Derby has been named England's youth jobless capital, with the highest rate of 16 and 17-year-olds not in education, employment or training (NEET) of any area in the country, according to the latest figures.
The data reveals that 7.1% of Derby's 16 and 17-year-olds are currently NEET, equating to more than 500 young people in the city. That is a considerable jump from the 4.6% recorded before the pandemic, suggesting the economic and social disruption of recent years has taken a severe toll on the city's youngest adults.
What the NEET figures show
NEET is the acronym used for young people who are not in education, employment or training. It is an important measure of social exclusion, as teenagers who miss out on these opportunities often face long-term disadvantages in the labour market.
In Derby, the 7.1% rate places the city above every other local authority in England. The latest breakdown shows that over 500 individuals in the 16-17 age bracket are now outside education and without a job or training placement.
How Derby compares with the rest of the Midlands
While Derby has the highest NEET rate nationally, other parts of the Midlands also register concerning figures. Leicester is the next highest in the region, with 5.9% of its 16 and 17-year-olds not in education or work.
Birmingham, despite being identified as the worst area for wider youth unemployment among 16 to 24-year-olds, records a lower NEET rate of 3.1% for the younger age group. That puts the city well below both Derby and Leicester on this specific measure.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham's pledge
The figures come as new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has committed to cutting the number of jobless young people while in office. Tackling youth unemployment and getting more young adults off benefits and into work has been one of his key missions since taking over at Number 10.
Burnham has made the issue a central pillar of his government's agenda, and the data from Derby and other areas will increase pressure on his administration to deliver results. The rise in Derby's NEET rate from 4.6% before the pandemic to 7.1% now underscores the urgency of the problem.
Birmingham's wider unemployment problem
It was previously reported that the six worst areas for unemployment among 16-24-year-olds were all in Birmingham. That finding highlighted the scale of the challenge facing the region, although it covers a broader age range than the NEET measure.
For 16 and 17-year-olds specifically, Birmingham's NEET figure of 3.1% is relatively low when compared with Derby's 7.1%. However, experts warn that without targeted intervention in deprived neighbourhoods, the situation could deteriorate further.
Why NEET numbers matter
High NEET rates are not merely statistics; they represent missed opportunities for young people during a critical phase of their lives. Those who are not in education, employment or training at this age are more likely to experience long-term unemployment, lower earnings and poorer health outcomes.
The sharp increase in Derby from 4.6% to 7.1% is particularly striking, indicating that the effects of the pandemic have lingered. While some parts of the country have seen improvements, Derby's figures serve as a warning that regional disparities remain wide.
Local officials and education providers are now likely to face calls to expand apprenticeships, training schemes and entry-level roles for 16 and 17-year-olds. The government's response to the NEET crisis will be closely watched in the coming months, especially in areas like Derby where the problem is most acute.
