Thinking Policy

This episode of Thinking Policy centres on the pressing issue of youth unemployment in the United Kingdom, particularly the alarming statistic that nearly a million young individuals are classified as not in education, employment, or training (NEET).We speak to two guests - Harriet McCann, the Director of Policy, Insights and External Affairs at the National Youth Agency, and Richard Rigby, the Head of UK Government Affairs at the King's Trust, who give their perspectives on the multifaceted causes of this challenge, which include - but are not limited to - economic instability, the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, and increased mental health concerns among the young. We explore the systemic barriers that exacerbate this crisis and the potential strategies for fostering a more supportive environment for young people.The episode touches on the recently published National Youth Strategy and the need for cohesive, cross-departmental collaboration to address these issues. The WPI Economics team then reflects on the need for a holistic approach that emphasises the importance of early intervention and support mechanisms to mitigate the risks faced by the current generation.Takeaways:The podcast discusses the alarming statistic that nearly a million young individuals in the UK are currently classified as neither in education, employment, nor training, a situation that necessitates urgent action.The conversation highlights the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health of young people, exacerbating existing challenges and creating new barriers to employment and education.Expert guests emphasise the fundamental role of youth work in fostering resilience and the importance of providing young people with trusted adults to guide them during critical transitions into adulthood.It is posited that systemic issues such as child poverty and cuts to youth services have worsened the current situation for young people, necessitating a comprehensive reassessment of funding priorities and support mechanisms.The episode underscores the need for a multifaceted approach, addressing both immediate employment challenges and the long-term societal issues impacting youth engagement and well-beingLinks:National Youth Strategy:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/youth-matters-your-national-youth-strategy/youth-matters-your-national-youth-strategyNational Youth Agency response:https://nya.org.uk/nya-response-to-the-national-youth-strategy/King’s Trust’s 50th Anniversary social impact report: https://www.kingstrust.org.uk/about-us/news-views/50-years-of-working-for-young-people-reportNEET data, February 2026, ONS:https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peoplenotinwork/unemployment/bulletins/youngpeoplenotineducationemploymentortrainingneet/february202600:00 Welcome and Youth Strategy01:22 Why NEET Is Rising02:48 Youth Work and Prevention05:54 Funding and Joined Up Government08:54 Trusted Adults by 203510:33 Proving Impact and Value12:14 What We Over and Underthink14:01 Richard on Disrupted Generation17:22 Kings Trust Solutions and Partnerships21:23 Impact Report and ROI Evidence22:46 Stop Blaming Young People24:52 WPI Debrief UK Specific Problem28:41 How the SROI Was Built32:11 Ed on Poverty and Pensions35:41 Wrap Up and Next Steps

Welcome to Thinking Policy. The new podcast from https://wpieconomics.com/Thinking Policy = Policy Unboxed.This episode discusses the legacy and influence of the first Pensions Commission, lauded for setting a standard in evidence-based, long-term policymaking, and the challenges facing its successor. The episode examines the first Commission's impact, the continuity of its policy approaches and the importance of long-term decision making. It explores what has changed in the employment landscape since, including the rise of self-employment, and the need for the future system to tackle remaining gaps in coverage while also addressing issues around pension adequacy. The discussion looks ahead to how the second Pensions Commission can respond effectively to this more complex picture.Joining the WPI Economics team for this first episode are our experts:Jo Phillips - Director of Research and Innovation at Nest Insight https://www.nestinsight.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jo-phillips-3930323/Matt Burrell - Head of Public Affairs for Long-Term Savings at Phoenix Group https://www.thephoenixgroup.com/linkedin.com/in/matthewcburrellFor more information:https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-pensions-commissionwww.nestinsight.org.ukWorkplace emergency savings, including sidecar savingSupporting self-employed people to save for retirementHousing and PensionsPensions adequacy and the household balance sheetUK pension reforms (1997-2015)NEW: Nest Insight research suggests caution needed over the idea of ‘pension access schemes’ for first-time home buyersJoin the conversation, find us at https://www.linkedin.com/company/wpi-economics/posts/?feedView=allhttps://wpieconomics.com/podcasts/episode-1/Keep up to date with our work, upcoming events and policy insights by signing up to our newsletter -https://wpieconomics.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=59aedfe7c4344116a3955fe95&id=8fa8a934e500:00 Introduction to the Pensions Commission00:18 Evaluating the Commission's Reputation00:47 Impact of Government Changes on Policy00:58 The Role of Political Consensus01:29 Fundamental Shifts in Pension Saving02:10 Changes in Work and Retirement Since 200602:21 Challenges of a Pillar Two-Based Pension System03:16 The Rise of Precarious Employment03:41 Automatic Enrollment and Employer Roles04:01 Pension Freedoms and Retirement Income04:41 Balancing Complexity and Simplicity in Pension Systems09:04 Increasing Private Pension Savings09:46 Addressing Self-Employment in Pension Policy10:49 The Commission's Remit and Recommendations12:24 Conclusion: Ensuring Adequate Retirement

Welcome to Thinking Policy, the new podcast from WPI Economics, where evidence, data, and diverse ideas converge to shape important debates. Each episode features two expert guests discussing a single economic or social policy challenge from different perspectives.The WPI Economics team then reflects, fact-checks, and challenges assumptions to uncover what really works. Topics include inequality, welfare, housing policy, green growth, and the future of work. Subscribe on your favourite podcast app and follow WPI Economics on LinkedIn.Join the conversation, find us at https://www.linkedin.com/company/wpi-economics/posts/?feedView=allKeep up to date with our work, upcoming events and policy insights by signing up to our newsletter -https://wpieconomics.us4.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=59aedfe7c4344116a3955fe95&id=8fa8a934e5https://wpieconomics.com/00:00 Introduction to Thinking Policy Podcast00:13 Expert Guests and Their Perspectives00:25 WPI Economics Team's Role00:41 Topics We Cover01:03 Join the Conversation