A million young people in danger of being lost

SOCIETY as a whole loses so much if we don’t unleash the talents and ambitions of our young people.

- Mary Glindon

Throughout human history their ability to think afresh has initially irritated older generations but also delivered changes that improved everyone’s lives.

An example from my youth is the contribution of British bands such as the Beatles and the Animals, who gave joy to millions and earned a lot of money for the UK as well as bolstering its soft power. Sports such as football have done the same.

Given this, I have become increasingly concerned about NEETs. This is the term for young people not in education, employment or training. The North East has 64,000 NEETs, the highest number in the country.

I raised this in parliamentary questions with my neighbouring MP, Sir Alan Campbell, who’s a member of the Cabinet as the Leader of the House of Commons.

Having attended a meeting organised by the Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) and Fenwick Newcastle for a “Big Listen” with 120 employers and frontline charities, I urged a Commons debate when the CSJ publishes its findings.