New analysis of national data indicates that an estimated 2.3% of 16- and 17-year-olds in Surrey are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET), a proportion that has increased from around 1.5% before the Covid-19 pandemic. The figure translates to roughly 650 young people across the county whose main activity is recorded as unknown or not engaged with mainstream options.
Local picture and national comparisons
The rise in Surrey reflects a broader national trend in which several areas have seen marked increases in the share of teenagers outside formal education, training or work. While Surrey’s rate remains below that recorded in many northern and post-industrial areas, the growth since 2019 has prompted questions about how local services identify and support young people at risk of long-term disengagement.
- Surrey: 2.3% of 16–17 year olds NEET (around 650 individuals).
- Selected higher rates elsewhere: Derby (7.1%), Stockton-on-Tees (7.0%), Blackpool (6.7%).
- Many local authorities report that the true number is probably higher because activity for some young people was not recorded.
The dataset used to compile the figures includes cases where a young person’s status was logged as unknown by their local authority, meaning the headline percentages may understate the scale of the challenge.
Implications for councils and providers
Local authorities and training providers work to track and assist 16- and 17-year-olds as they make the transition from school to further education, apprenticeships or employment. An increase in NEET rates places additional pressure on careers services, youth outreach teams and post-16 providers to re-engage young people, provide tailored pathways and address barriers such as transport, mental health or family circumstances.
| Measure | Surrey | Pre-pandemic |
|---|---|---|
| NEET rate (16–17) | 2.3% | 1.5% |
| Estimated number affected | ~650 | — |
Precise causes for the local rise are not detailed in the dataset. Nationally, commentators and policymakers have pointed to pandemic disruption, changes in the labour market and difficulties in tracking young people who move between services or whose circumstances change rapidly.
What this means for families and young people
For those concerned about a specific young person, the first points of contact are usually the local council’s education or youth services, college admissions teams and local careers advisers. Government employment and training schemes also offer routes back into education or apprenticeships; however, coverage and eligibility can vary.
Officials and community groups have emphasised the importance of early intervention to prevent short periods out of education becoming longer-term disengagement. With hundreds of teenagers potentially affected in Surrey, co-ordinated support across schools, colleges, councils and employment services will be central to reversing the trend.
Further analysis is expected as local authorities review their records and outreach teams intensify efforts to locate and support those whose status is currently unknown.
