AdviceUK has welcomed reports that the Milburn Review will call for a “system reset” to tackle rising youth unemployment and economic inactivity, but warns that reform will fail unless the Government recognises the critical role free and independent advice services play in supporting young people facing barriers to work and training.
AdviceUK, the UK’s largest network of free and independent advice organisations, representing more than 700 services, says its members are seeing a sharp rise in the number of young people seeking help with employment, training, welfare benefits and mental health issues.
Data from AdvicePro, AdviceUK’s case management system used across much of the advice sector, shows that in just six years the number of cases involving 16 to 25-year-olds on employment, training and mental health has risen almost tenfold – from 1,568 in 2019 to 14,836 in 2025.
AdviceUK said this sharp rise underlines both the scale of unmet need and the critical role advice services play in helping young people address the barriers that keep them out of work or education. Many young people are not NEET by choice; they are dealing with poverty, poor mental health, chronic illness, disability and overstretched public services.
The charity warned that advice services are already under severe strain. Rising demand, limited funding and workforce pressures mean many services are operating at or near capacity, even as they are expected to help more young people navigate welfare systems, challenge poor decisions, stabilise finances and access wider support that can make work or training possible.
AdviceUK is calling on the Government to ensure that any response to the Milburn Review includes sustained investment in free and independent advice services and a national advice sector workforce strategy, creating clearer routes for young people to build rewarding careers within the advice and social justice sectors.
Liz Bayram, Chief Executive of AdviceUK, said:
“Free and independent advice services support thousands of young people every year, and demand is rising fast. We therefore welcome recognition that investing in young people’s skills and training matters.
“However, many young people are not economically inactive by choice. They face poverty, ill health and overstretched public services. Advice services help young people move from crisis to stability, but they are underfunded and at a tipping point due to skyrocketing demand.
“If the Government wants to reduce the number of young people who are NEET, it must invest in the advice services that make participation possible.
“At the same time, there is a major opportunity being missed. There is currently no strong pathway for young people to enter the advice workforce, despite the huge social value of this work and growing demand for advice across communities in the country. A national advice sector workforce strategy could help create meaningful careers for young people while strengthening the frontline services communities rely on.
“Reform must also not come at the expense of young people who cannot work. Many of the young people our members support are living with mental health conditions, chronic illness or disability. Nearly two-thirds of these cases relate to welfare benefits and welfare rights, showing how vital income support remains during periods of ill health.”
Notes to Editors
AdviceUK spokespeople are available for interview and can comment on what advice services are seeing on the frontline in relation to young people seeking work or unable to work.
About AdviceUK: https://www.adviceuk.org.uk/
Press contacts
press@adviceuk.org.uk or 07955 296206
