Engage young to save money, says CBI

More than £5 million could be saved each week by engaging 'unproductive' young people to take part in work or training, according to the CBI.

The business group has released a report which warns that the UK's approach to so-called NEETs (those people 'Not in Education, Employment, or Training') is failing, and is having a knock-on effect on the rest of society, including business.

According to the OECD, the UK lies 23rd out of 28 countries, while Government figures show almost one in 10 young people is NEET.

Now the CBI is warning that the figure could get worse over the coming months as the economy struggles.

It is suggesting measures to help get young people off benefits and says halving the number could save the economy more than £250 million a year.

Suggestions include cutting red tape associated with the National Apprentice Service to make it more attractive to SMEs and implementing a one-stop-shop approach for young people to access services and guidance.

CBI deputy director-general John Cridland said: "Anti-social behaviour leads to people staying away from town centres, meaning businesses lose trade and local communities suffer.

"The answer to the NEET problem is to rescue these young people before they end up at the margins of society as the people that prosperity forgot."

IMAGEALASTAIR GRANT/AP/PA Photos