Milburn says no evidence migrants cause Neets, falling immigration an opportunity

The Story

Alan Milburn, conducting a review on young people not in employment, education or training (Neets), stated that no evidence links immigration to higher Neet levels. He said falling immigration creates an opportunity to address the problem by encouraging employers to hire young Britons, with government support. Separately, the Scottish Greens urged First Minister John Swinney to tax wealth instead of cutting jobs, and Kemi Badenoch criticized the British Museum for postponing a Jewish culture event over protest concerns.

Key Facts

• Milburn said there is no evidence of a link between migration and higher Neets.
• Milburn said migration is now an opportunity as levels are on a downward trajectory.
• Milburn said employers have been on “Easy Street” importing labour rather than growing skills at home.
• Milburn called for a “new deal” where government helps employers hire young people.
• Milburn said the welfare system has perverse incentives, with a backlog of two million waiting for reassessment.
• Milburn said the UK should learn from the Netherlands, which has a third of the Neet rate.
• Milburn said Ofsted system needs to change to incentivize schools to prevent Neets.
• Scottish Greens co-leader Gillian Mackay urged Swinney to tax the “super rich” instead of cutting public sector jobs.
• Mackay called for a four-day work week and council tax reform; Swinney said he is open to reforming or abolishing council tax but needs reliable means.
• Kemi Badenoch criticized the British Museum for postponing a talk on Jewish culture due to protest fears.
• The British Museum said it postponed the event because a significant proportion of registered attendees intended to disrupt it.

Conflicting Reports

No conflicting reports identified in the source article.

Still Unclear

What specific policy changes Milburn will recommend; how long the downward migration trend will last.

Misconceptions

Milburn directly addressed the misconception that immigration causes the Neets crisis, stating no evidence supports that link.

Key Figures

Alan Milburn (review lead), Gillian Mackay (Scottish Greens co-leader), John Swinney (First Minister of Scotland), Kemi Badenoch (Conservative politician), George Osborne (chair of British Museum), Ivan McKee (public service reform secretary), Stephen Timms (government official reviewing PIP).

Sources: The Guardian