Andy Burnham has said the government is aiming for “quite radical change” in how it supports young people, indicating this could include tougher benefit rules alongside more help with work and mental health. A forthcoming review by former minister Alan Milburn is expected to recommend limiting access to some benefits for people who refuse to engage. Burnham said his mission involved “rethinking childhood” from the early years, saying it was dangerous to “leave young people in their 20s without hope.”
Burnham said Milburn’s report, due this month, was not “a narrow consideration of just the benefits system” but a “root and branch review of childhood and how we support young people on their way in life.” The first part of the review, published in May, said about one in eight young people (1 million) were not in work, education or training, blaming a series of largely structural factors, including inequality, the modern labour market and mental health.
Asked about cutting benefits, Burnham said he was “prepared to take difficult decisions” because, he argued, “I can’t accept the idea that we have a million or more young people in their 20s on benefits. It’s not good for them. It’s not good for anybody.”
In a separate BBC interview, Burnham said spending on support for young people would have to rise first, potentially requiring the government to “reprioritise” some money, but that the overall benefits bill would fall in time. When asked if that could happen within this parliament, he replied: “You do it in a way that’s sustainable. And if it could be this parliament, as soon as possible is the thing I would say to you.”
Burnham linked the challenge to early years development, saying too many young people are not school-ready and that the gap tends to persist throughout the school system. He described the issue as one of “huge societal importance.”
Analysis
Why This Matters
- The government is explicitly linking welfare conditionality to intensive support, a major shift in youth policy.
- One million young people not in work, education or training represents a significant social and economic challenge.
- The approach signals potential big changes to the benefits system and early years spending.
Background
Alan Milburn, a former Labour minister, was asked to review the number of young people not in work, education or training (NEET). The first part of his review, published in May 2026, found around one million young people were NEET, attributing this to structural factors including inequality and mental health. The second part, expected this month, details recommendations, which Burnham has previewed in interviews.
What to Watch
- The second Milburn report is due this month, and its specific recommendations will define the scale of the proposed changes.
- Whether the government legislates benefit changes in this parliament.
- The government’s upcoming budget or spending review to see if it reprioritises money toward youth support.