Britain is confronting a "national outrage" as nearly one million young people drift outside the workforce and education system, prompting a high-stakes inquiry launched today.

Spearheaded by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, the review seeks to dismantle the barriers trapping a generation in inactivity—a crisis of wasted potential that resonates deeply in nations like Kenya, where youth unemployment remains a critical economic bottleneck.

A Coalition of the Concerned

Milburn has assembled a heavyweight panel to tackle what he describes as an "economic catastrophe." The team includes former John Lewis boss Charlie Mayfield, ex-Bank of England chief economist Andy Haldane, and social welfare expert Dame Louise Casey.

Their mandate is clear: identify "uncomfortable truths" and propose radical changes. Milburn emphasized that the status quo is untenable.

"We need to create a movement—a coalition of the concerned—to help us understand what’s broken and what must change," Milburn stated, calling for evidence from both experts and the youth themselves.

The Mental Health Factor

The inquiry arrives as the demographic landscape of inactivity shifts. Analysts note a disturbing rise in health-related exits from the workforce.

• Rising Sickness: More than 25% of 16-to-24-year-olds classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) now cite long-term sickness or disability.
• Benefit Surge: The number of young people claiming health-related benefits has soared, complicating the path back to employment.
• Regional Disparity: In the UK, the crisis is most acute in the north-east and north-west of England, areas that have historically struggled with industrial decline.

For Kenyan policymakers and parents observing this trend, the link between mental health and economic inactivity is a flashing warning light. While Kenya's informal sector often absorbs those falling out of formal systems, the UK data suggests that without intervention, health issues can permanently sideline a workforce.

The Inequality Trap

The report highlights a stark correlation between background and opportunity. The risk of becoming NEET is more than double for those from disadvantaged backgrounds with low qualifications.

"Nearly 1 million young people in Britain are not in education, employment or training – and that number has been rising for four years," Milburn warned. "This is a national outrage – it’s both a social injustice and an economic catastrophe."

The review aims to mobilize a rescue mission for a generation that is neither earning nor learning. As the global economy tightens, the message from London is universal: leaving youth behind is a price no nation can afford to pay.

"Every young person, whatever their background, deserves the opportunity to learn or to earn," Milburn concluded.