Fewer than a quarter of councils in the UK have agreed to set up local taskforces to tackle NEET numbers in their area as part of a new drive led by Alan Milburn. Local leaders from 89 councils across the country have pledged to set “at least one” objective to keep 16- to 24-year-olds in education, training or work. Out of 382 UK local authorities, 23 per cent have agreed to bring together schools, colleges, employers, heath and voluntary services to agree on a joint plan and monitor NEET numbers. Latest figures show 13 per cent, or almost a million, of 16- to 24-year-olds in the UK were NEET between April and June 2026. Milburn, the government’s NEET tsar and a former Labour cabinet minister, said: “Nobody knows a community like the people who serve it. That’s why so many councils are stepping up now to grip the NEET crisis on their own doorsteps.” Milburn’s interim report, published in May, put the annual cost of almost one million NEET young people at £125 billion. He warned that without action, the number of NEET young people could rise to over 16 per cent within five years, to more than 1.25 million. Milburn’s final report and recommendations to government are due this autumn. The taskforces sit alongside eight youth guarantee trailblazers aimed at reducing youth inactivity, run by mayoral combined authorities and the Greater London Authority. Its funding was extended by £45 million to run until March 2027. Missing in action The Department for Work and Pensions sent a call out to all councils through bulletins via the Local Government Association to join the “NEET taskforce”. The taskforce will commit, for at least 18 months, to three actions: Convene key local stakeholders such as schools, further education, DWP, health, employers, voluntary, community and social enterprise (VCSE) sector to create one joined‑up plan and monitor transition outcomes regularly. Set at least one objective in support of sustained participation of 16-24 year olds. Agree a set of practical actions they can deliver quickly, using powers they already have, with each area free to decide what will work best for their young people and economy. In England, 83 of the 317 councils have signed up. No councils in Wales or Northern Ireland are on the list, but six Scottish councils will set up a taskforce. LJ Rawlings, chief executive of Youth Employment UK, said: “People pledging and being committed is not the same as a strategy.” London forms the bulk of boroughs on the list. The City of London Corporation and 31 of the capital’s 32 boroughs have signed up, while Havering is the only borough not on the list. Several south London boroughs are working together through the South London NEET Taskforce. “The South London NEET taskforce is a significant step towards creating a more responsive system that helps young people progress into good jobs,” said councillor Barry Lewis, chair of South London Partnership and leader of London borough of Sutton. “By working collectively, we can ensure support reaches those who need it most and help more young people make successful transitions into good, sustainable work.” Meanwhile, Kent County Council and Medway Council are running a joint Kent and Medway NEET taskforce. Councillor David Wimble, cabinet member for economic development at Kent County Council said the task force will come up with “clear actions and solutions” to provide more opportunities for local young people. “Nearly 7 per cent of 16- to 24-year-olds in Kent and Medway are not reaching their potential due to the challenges they face with finding the right training and securing a job,” he added. “At the same time, our employers are struggling to find the people they need to help them grow.” “We will work with local partners to take practical steps starting with providing clearer information and advice for our young people and businesses.”