Why Burnham needs to be bold and go Dutch to tackle the youth jobs crisis and address our construction skills shortage

By Stephen Teagle 2026-07-22T06:00:00

With nearly one million young people classified as Neet and the housebuilding sector facing a shortfall of 1.3 million tradespeople, Vistry’s Stephen Teagle argues the Burnham government needs a radical approach to technical education

The headline figures around youth unemployment make for deeply uncomfortable reading: Across the UK there are nearly one million young people aged 16-24 who are not in education, employment or training - the so-called Neets.

Even more stark is what will be the continuing impact on the next generation, should we continue on the same trajectory.

Recent research from the Centre for Social Justice estimates that the equivalent of four children in every classroom in the final year of primary school are expected to end up on out-of-work benefits by the time they reach the age of 21.

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