More teenagers dropping out of school

The risk of a teenager dropping out of school, training or work has risen by 40 per cent since the start of the recession.

A Labour Force Survey said the problem affecting Neets — young people not in education, employment or training — was long-term for those at the bottom end of the education system and labour market.

Just over nine per cent of young people with Level 3 qualifications, which include A-levels, were classed as Neet in the second three months of this year, up from 6.4% in the first quarter of 2008.

In the second quarter of this year 11.4% of graduates were classed as Neet, up from 7.5% in the first quarter of 2008.

The survey also reveals that those who leave school with no qualifications are the most at risk of dropping out of education and work.

More than a third (36.1 per cent) of young people without qualifications were considered Neet in the second quarter of this year, up from 34.6 per cent in the first quarter of 2008.

The survey says: "This suggests a long-term problem whose route causes are not connected to the recent economic upheaval."

Lisa Harker, co-director of the ippr, which analysed the survey with the Private Equity Foundation, said: "While it is true that those with A-levels and degrees have seen their risk of becoming Neet increase the fastest, they remain much better protected than young people who have no qualifications, and they are likely to do better when the economy recovers.

"The challenges facing young people with no qualifications are not just the result of the recession. Over a third of this group were already Neet before the recession began. This suggests a long-term problem whose causes are not connected to the recent economic upheaval. It is important not to lose sight of this challenge at a time when many are focusing on the high numbers of graduates who cannot find work."