Not so NEET

Dear Sir,

Kerry McCarthy claims that Labour has reduced the number of young people not in education or training in her constituency in Bristol. But here over the border in Kingswood and South Gloucestershire the number of 16 and 17 year olds not in education or Work Based Learning has actually increased from 200 in 1997 to 1,200 in the latest figures available. Nationally, there is the same picture: the number of young NEETs (Not in employment, education or training) aged 16 to 24 has risen by over a quarter to 1.24million- that's a fifth of the age group literally doing nothing. In particular, the number of young male Neets has risen by 27% to 575,000 since the spring of 1997, while the number of young female Neets is also up by 6%.

A recent study showed the full impact to society that these youngsters, aimless and likely to fall into a life of crime, can have. Drug use among 16 to 18-year-olds is higher, with 71% admitting to having used illegal drugs, compared with 45% of non-Neets. This and other factors had an impact on their health: 15% of male and 25% of female Neets were in poor health by age 21 (compared with 10% and 15% respectively of non-Neets). Neets are also more likely to have children earlier — potentially disrupting their education. Some 60% of Neet women have had children by the age of 21. They are also more likely to drift into crime: 29% of male and 8% of female young Neets have been involved in crime, three times the rate among all young people. It estimated that the cost to society of Neets in terms of crime, public health and antisocial behaviour will be £15 billion over their lifetimes.

But we don't need statistics to realise what is happening right now. Take a look on our highstreet corners in Kingswood, Staple Hill and Mangotsfield at night; in our parks and secluded spaces. There you will find young people, loitering aimlessly with nothing to do except drink, take drugs, commit anti-social behaviour and at worst, violent crime. And unless we recognise that there is a problem that is growing and has got much worse in recent years, we will never find a solution. Long ago, Labour said they would be tough on crime and tough on the causes of crime. Now, as the fear of rising violent crime keeps many elderly residents in Kingswood locked up in their own homes, we are simply told, tough. To hide the problem is not good enough. As the figures show, we are sitting on a timebomb of disaffected and disengaged young people who are all too likely to become the criminals of tomorrow. We need to act now, and we need to act fast.

Yours sincerely,

Chris Skidmore
Prospective Conservative MP
Kingswood

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