Not in education, employment or training (NEET)
Overview and background information
The government has published a series of statistical releases that include NEET figures for local authorities. Data is available for the county council area, Blackburn with Darwen, Blackpool and the 12 districts comprising Lancashire.
The estimated NEET figures included in the following article should be viewed with caution, because of the young people classified to the 'unknown' category. These figures tend to be lower than those in the official statistical release on young people in England who are not participating in education or training because they: -
· only include young people who are known to their local authority (i.e. those who were educated in government-funded schools or state schools which provide education free of charge to pupils in England)
· do not count young people who are taking a gap year or are in custody as NEET
· depend on the quality of each local authority’s data collection.
Please note that the following statistics are also influenced by recent changes to the school leaving age. To help address this issue, the minimum age at which young people in England can leave learning has been increased. From summer 2013, young people were required to continue in education or training to the end of the academic year in which they turn 17, and from summer 2015 they will be required to stay until their 18th birthday. The options for young people post-16 are either full-time education in a school or college; an apprenticeship; part-time accredited learning if they are in full-time employment; or volunteering.
Unemployment is high on the government agenda and in particular the impact of the recession on young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET). It is widely recognised that a period of NEET can be associated with negative outcomes in later life, including unemployment, reduced earnings, poor health and life satisfaction, which has an impact on both the individual and the economy.
Please note that the counting methodology for Lancashire -12 changed in September 2016. Before then, all 16-18 year olds were counted, however since September 2016, only 16-17 year olds have been counted.
Not in education, employment or training (NEET) - Lancashire County Council
2.1 NEET, 2020/21 to 2024/25
According to the latest figures, 3.9% of young people in Lancashire-12 were categorised as NEET (Table 1). This was lower than the regional rate of 4.3% and the respective neighbouring authority rates (4.7% in Blackburn with Darwen and 7.6% in Blackpool), however was higher than the national rate of 3.4%. Within Lancashire-12, the percentage of 16-17 year olds who are NEET varies between districts, from 2.2% in Ribble Valley to 4.8% in Chorley (Figure 1).
In 2024/25, the number and proportion of NEET in Lancashire-12 increased by 0.8 percentage points (pp). NEET proportions increased in all Lancashire-12 districts, with Fylde increasing to 3.1% (increase by 0.1 percentage points). Wyre and Rossendale increased to 3.0% and South Ribble increased to 4.0%, all three increasing by 0.2 pp. There was a notable increase for Chorley, Lancaster and Burnley, with Chorley and Lancaster increasing by 1.2 pp and Burnley increasing by 1.3 pp.
Table 1: Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), 2020/21 to 2024/25
| Dec to Feb 3 month average performance | 2020/21 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | No NEET | % NEET | No NEET | % NEET | No NEET | % NEET | No NEET | % NEET | No NEET | % NEET |
| Burnley | 57 | 2.6% | 75 | 3.2% | 71 | 3.0% | 76 | 3.1% | 117 | 4.4% |
| Chorley | 76 | 3.1% | 62 | 2.4% | 64 | 2.4% | 98 | 3.6% | 132 | 4.8% |
| Fylde | 26 | 1.8% | 23 | 1.5% | 32 | 2.1% | 45 | 3.0% | 50 | 3.1% |
| Hyndburn | 46 | 2.2% | 64 | 2.9% | 76 | 3.5% | 75 | 3.5% | 93 | 4.2% |
| Lancaster | 75 | 2.7% | 89 | 3.2% | 99 | 3.5% | 96 | 3.2% | 140 | 4.4% |
| Pendle | 51 | 2.2% | 46 | 1.8% | 56 | 2.1% | 75 | 2.9% | 102 | 3.6% |
| Preston | 115 | 3.4% | 128 | 3.6% | 101 | 2.7% | 135 | 3.5% | 172 | 4.3% |
| Ribble Valley | 13 | 1.0% | 19 | 1.4% | 18 | 1.3% | 16 | 1.2% | 31 | 2.2% |
| Rossendale | 45 | 2.8% | 33 | 2.0% | 47 | 2.7% | 51 | 2.8% | 57 | 3.0% |
| South Ribble | 83 | 3.4% | 72 | 2.9% | 67 | 2.7% | 99 | 3.8% | 109 | 4.0% |
| West Lancashire | 43 | 1.7% | 39 | 1.5% | 57 | 2.2% | 74 | 2.8% | 109 | 3.9% |
| Wyre | 50 | 2.2% | 40 | 1.8% | 46 | 2.0% | 66 | 2.8% | 75 | 3.0% |
| Lancashire-12 | 680 | 2.5% | 689 | 2.5% | 733 | 2.6% | 907 | 3.1% | 1,186 | 3.9% |
| Blackburn with Darwen | 111 | 2.6% | 133 | 3.1% | 156 | 3.5% | 183 | 4.0% | 226 | 4.7% |
| Blackpool | 143 | 4.4% | 152 | 4.6% | 196 | 7.0% | 213 | 7.0% | 245 | 7.6% |
| North West | 5,460 | 3.4% | 5,030 | 3.1% | 5,910 | 3.5% | 7,250 | 4.1% | 7,890 | 4.3% |
| England | 33,310 | 2.8% | 30,890 | 2.6% | 34,780 | 2.8% | 40,780 | 3.2% | 45,990 | 3.4% |
Figure 1: Young people NEET by district in Lancashire-12, 2024/25
Source: Children and Family Wellbeing Service (Young People's Service)
The percentage and number of young people in education, employment or training (EET) remained stable in Lancashire-12 overall at 93.6% (Table 2). The proportion of EET rose in three of the Lancashire-12 districts, with percentages ranging from 94.8% in Fylde to 94.9% in Rossendale (Figure 2).
Table 2: Young people in education, employment or training (EET), 2020/21 to 2024/25
| Dec to Feb 3 month average performance | 2020/21 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | No EET | % EET | No EET | % EET | No EET | % EET | No EET | % EET | No EET | % EET |
| Burnley | 2,081 | 95.0% | 2,206 | 94.2% | 2,230 | 93.1% | 2,328 | 94.0% | 2,485 | 92.8% |
| Chorley | 2,342 | 93.9% | 2,459 | 95.1% | 2,524 | 95.6% | 2,582 | 94.0% | 2,564 | 92.5% |
| Fylde | 1,351 | 95.7% | 1,499 | 96.9% | 1,456 | 94.1% | 1,413 | 94.5% | 1,534 | 94.8% |
| Hyndburn | 1,965 | 93.5% | 2,038 | 94.0% | 2,045 | 93.9% | 2,020 | 93.1% | 2,041 | 92.9% |
| Lancaster | 2,571 | 92.9% | 2,576 | 92.8% | 2,689 | 93.7% | 2,781 | 93.9% | 2,948 | 93.1% |
| Pendle | 2,135 | 94.3% | 2,371 | 95.5% | 2,478 | 95.3% | 2,488 | 94.7% | 2,589 | 92.5% |
| Preston | 3,112 | 93.0% | 3,329 | 93.5% | 3,482 | 93.7% | 3,620 | 93.7% | 3,737 | 93.2% |
| Ribble Valley | 1,286 | 97.0% | 1,298 | 97.1% | 1,303 | 97.3% | 1,338 | 97.1% | 1,377 | 96.3% |
| Rossendale | 1,498 | 93.9% | 1,569 | 95.3% | 1,654 | 94.8% | 1,684 | 94.0% | 1,782 | 94.9% |
| South Ribble | 2,296 | 94.5% | 2,369 | 95.8% | 2,388 | 95.2% | 2,458 | 93.6% | 2,549 | 94.0% |
| West Lancashire | 2,376 | 95.0% | 2,408 | 95.6% | 2,485 | 95.7% | 2,508 | 94.9% | 2,611 | 94.0% |
| Wyre | 2,118 | 94.6% | 2,147 | 94.4% | 2,188 | 95.2% | 2,236 | 94.2% | 2,341 | 94.2% |
| Lancashire-12 | 25,131 | 94.2% | 26,269 | 94.8% | 26,921 | 94.7% | 27,457 | 94.2% | 28,556 | 93.6% |
| Blackburn with Darwen | 4,137 | 96.2% | 4,156 | 96.1% | 4,306 | 95.7% | 4,411 | 95.3% | 4,580 | 94.9% |
| Blackpool | 2,953 | 91.1% | 3,049 | 93.4% | 2,472 | 88.9% | 2,810 | 91.7% | 2,924 | 91.1% |
| Lancashire-14 | 32,221 | 94.2% | 334,737 | 94.8% | 33,699 | 94.4% | 34,679 | 94.1% | 36,060 | 93.5% |
| North West | 151,730 | 94.7% | 156,470 | 95.1% | 160,640 | 94.7% | 165,990 | 94.4% | 172,520 | 94.3% |
| England | 1,116,370 | 94.5% | 1,151,300 | 95.3% | 1,171,480 | 94.8% | 1,209,230 | 94.6% | 1,260,160 | 94.4% |
Figure 2: Young people in EET by district in Lancashire-12, 2024/25
Source: Children and Family Wellbeing Service (Young People's Service)
The percentage of instances where it was not known whether young people were involved in education, employment or training decreased in Lancashire-12 in 2024/25 to 2.54%. Lancashire-12 saw increases in two of its districts, with the highest increase being in Pendle (up to 3.91%, an increase of 1.51 pp) and the smallest increase being in Chorley (up to 2.72%, an increase of 0.32 pp). The rest of Lancashire-12 saw decreases with the largest decrease being in Rossendale (down to 2.08%, a decrease of 1.12 pp) and the smallest decrease being in Burnley (down to 2.76%, a decrease of 0.14 pp).
Table 3: Young people not known if in education, employment or training, 2020/21 to 2024/25
| Dec to Feb 3 month average performance | 2020/21 | 2020/21 | 2021/22 | 2021/22 | 2022/23 | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Area | Not Known | Not Known % | Not Known | Not Known % | Not Known | Not Known % | Not Known | Not Known % | Not Known | Not Known % |
| Burnley | 54 | 2.4% | 61 | 2.6% | 94 | 3.9% | 72 | 2.9% | 74 | 2.76% |
| Chorley | 77 | 3.1% | 64 | 2.5% | 53 | 2.0% | 66 | 2.4% | 75 | 2.72% |
| Fylde | 35 | 2.5% | 25 | 1.6% | 60 | 3.9% | 38 | 2.5% | 35 | 2.14% |
| Hyndburn | 88 | 4.2% | 65 | 3.0% | 57 | 2.6% | 74 | 3.4% | 62 | 2.84% |
| Lancaster | 121 | 4.4% | 110 | 4.0% | 81 | 2.8% | 83 | 2.8% | 77 | 2.44% |
| Pendle | 79 | 3.5% | 67 | 2.7% | 65 | 2.5% | 64 | 2.4% | 109 | 3.91% |
| Preston | 121 | 3.6% | 105 | 2.9% | 130 | 3.5% | 107 | 2.8% | 99 | 2.47% |
| Ribble Valley | 26 | 2.0% | 20 | 1.5% | 18 | 1.3% | 24 | 1.8% | 21 | 1.49% |
| Rossendale | 53 | 3.3% | 45 | 2.7% | 44 | 2.5% | 57 | 3.2% | 39 | 2.08% |
| South Ribble | 49 | 2.0% | 33 | 1.3% | 54 | 2.1% | 69 | 2.6% | 52 | 1.92% |
| West Lancashire | 81 | 3.2% | 72 | 2.8% | 55 | 2.1% | 61 | 2.3% | 59 | 2.13% |
| Wyre | 72 | 3.2% | 88 | 3.9% | 64 | 2.8% | 70 | 3.0% | 71 | 2.84% |
| Lancashire-12 | 856 | 3.2% | 754 | 2.7% | 775 | 2.7% | 786 | 2.7% | 774 | 2.54% |
| Blackburn with Darwen | 51 | 1.2% | 35 | 0.8% | 39 | 0.9% | 37 | 0.8% | 21 | 0.40% |
| Blackpool | 146 | 4.5% | 65 | 2.0% | 112 | 4.0% | 41 | 1.3% | 41 | 1.30% |
| North West | 3,000 | 1.9% | 2,980 | 1.8% | 3,060 | 1.8% | 2,530 | 1.4% | 2,550 | 1.40% |
| England | 31,420 | 2.7% | 26,200 | 2.2% | 30,090 | 2.4% | 28,220 | 2.2% | 29,000 | 2.20% |
Figure 3: Young people NEET not known by district in Lancashire-12, 2024/25
Source: Children and Family Wellbeing Service (Young People's Service)
Whilst the EET percentage is lower this year, there are 1,015 more young people in EET in June 2025 (28,677) compared to June 2024 (27,662) as the overall cohort has increased by 1,337 young people. The reasons for the increasing number of young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEET) include a reduction in lower level and flexible provision across the county and an increasing number of young people facing mental health issues which are preventing them from participating at this time. We are also seeing more young people leaving their education setting early and a high proportion become NEET.
The Youth Futures team are offering drop in sessions to support Year 11 school leavers who may not have got the GCSE results they hoped for. The sessions will provide young people with advice and support on their next steps and the EET options available to them. They are also holding focused sessions to support young people who had previously been on elective home education (EHE). At 75.3%, a much lower proportion of young people who were previously EHE are EET compared to the overall 16/17yr old cohort at 93.9%.
We have started a Risk of NEET Indicator (RONI) pilot with seven secondary schools in Chorley and South Ribble and Runshaw College. Engagement from the settings has been positive and good progress is being made. This process will be developed further in the new academic year.
The Lancashire Colleges have created an Increasing EET working group to look at how they can work with the three pan-Lancashire authorities to better support young people who are NEET and to help young people remain in education, thereby reducing early leavers from college. Data sharing is key and we are working alongside Information Governance colleagues on this. We are also looking to have co-ordinated processes across the three authorities to support colleges who work across more than one area.
Education Improvement is leading on the development of an Increasing EET action plan for the Council and will report to the Transforming Childrens' Services Board on progress. The plan will bring together the work being done by Education Improvement (16-19 team and the virtual school), the Leaving Care team, CYJS and CFW. The Skills Hub has also been invited to be part of this.
Description of the geographies used in this report
The Lancashire-12 area is comprised of the 12 local authorities that fall within the Lancashire County Council (LCC) administrative boundary. The Lancashire-14 area incorporates the two additional unitary authorities of Blackburn with Darwen and Blackpool and has the same geographic footprint as the Lancashire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) area.
The 12 local authorities within the LCC boundary are Burnley Borough Council, Chorley Borough Council, Fylde Borough Council, Hyndburn Borough Council, Lancaster City Council, Pendle Borough Council, Preston City Council, Ribble Valley Borough Council, Rossendale Borough Council, South Ribble Borough Council, West Lancashire Borough Council and Wyre Borough Council.