Terms of Reference - Report into Young People and Work
Published 11 November 2025
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Terms of reference
The Report will seek to:
- understand the drivers of the increase in the number of young people who are Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) and claiming health and disability benefits, including childhood experience
- investigate the root causes of this rise in economic inactivity among disabled young people and those with health conditions
- make recommendations for policy responses aimed at increasing opportunities for young people
The Right Honourable Alan Milburn will author the report and will be supported by a range of voices with expertise from the labour market and health spheres.
Scope and purpose
The Report will be taken forward in two distinct phases:
1. A discovery phase This will focus on providing a diagnosis on the increase in the number of young disabled people and those with a health condition who are NEET. This will include analysing trends; identifying underlying factors which may drive these trends; setting out current outcomes for these groups; understanding how young people interact with the health and disability welfare, skills and employment system; and, identifying the barriers that prevent more young people learning or earning.
2. A solution phase Following the discovery phase, the Report will explore and identify potential areas for reform . The final Report is intended to take a holistic view of the welfare, health, skills and employment system and identify areas for reform. It will not consider the Special Educational Needs and Disabilities system.
In both the ‘discovery’ and ‘solution’ phases, the author of the report will engage with a range of fellow experts in the labour market, welfare and health spheres, as well as employers and people with lived experience, to inform their findings and recommendations.
Interaction with other Reviews
This Report has been commissioned independently of other ongoing reviews and reports, including the Timms Review on Personal Independence Payment.
Though independent, the author of the report will liaise with other relevant reviewers. Interim updates from the Timms Review will be considered by the Chair as he reaches his conclusions in the solution phase.
Timings
The ‘discovery phase’ will conclude by Spring 2026, at which point the author is expected to produce, and submit to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, an interim Report.
The Report will then continue into the solution phase, with the Chair providing a full and final report by Summer 2026.