One in six 18-year-olds is neither employed nor in the education system — the highest level since records began 14 years ago, government figures showed yesterday.

The overall number of Neets, 16 to 18-year-olds not in education, employment or training, rose from 9.7 per cent in 2007 to 10.3 per cent last year to almost 208,000 teenagers.

This was driven up by the soaring number of unemployed 18-year-olds, which is likely to have deteriorated further since the figures were collected last year.

The problem will be further exacerbated by the fact that universities are offering fewer places through clearing this year.

Announcing the figures for England, Ed Balls, the Children’s Secretary, said: “These figures show a record proportion of young people are in education or training, and a reduction in the proportion of 16 and 17-year-olds not in education, employment or training.

“Clearly it’s disappointing to see a slight rise in the proportion of young people not in education, employment or training, but the days of young people only having one chance at getting their qualifications are long gone.

“For 18-year-olds who are seeking employment right now, we are offering early entry to the support offered in the budget, which guaranteed an offer of a job, training or other meaningful activity to those unemployed for 12 months.”

Government statisticians said the rise was down to “reduced employment amongst young people not in education or training”.

The statistics did show an improvement in the proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds staying on at school or undertaking further training.

Almost eight in ten - 79.9 per cent - continued their education in 2008, slightly up from 78 per cent in 2007.

Critics have previously accused ministers of failing to cut the number of Neets since Labour came to power.

There were fewer teenagers in the Neet category in 1997, than there are today. In 1997, the figure stood at 8.9 per cent.

The children’s charity Barnardo’s said that the current situation was desperate for young people leaving school at 16, and wanting to work, or train in the workplace.

Martin Narey, the chief executive, said: “The proportion of young people who are Neet has not changed much over the last decade, hovering at around 9 to 10 per cent of the age group.

“But beneath this, there are two clear trends: a steady rise in the number of young people staying on in full-time education, and the steady decline in employment and work-based learning opportunities for young people aged 16-18.

“We urgently need a more relevant education system — with more vocational options for young people who are not suited to narrow, academic learning — and more opportunity to learn in the workplace, to gain the skills and experience that employers demand.”

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