Commenting on Government figures published today which reveal the number of NEETs (16-18 year olds Not in Education, Employment or Training) is higher than it was in 1997, Liberal Democrat Shadow Children, Schools and Families Secretary, David Laws MP said:

"Given that the number of NEETs has actually gone up since 1997, ministers cannot take any pride in these figures.

"One of the Government’s early pledges was to reduce the number of NEETs. They have clearly failed to do so.

"With the economy slowing, there is a real risk that this category is going to further increase in size.

"Until ministers address the record of under-performance in the education system, this problem will remain."