Drop-out Teens To Get Extra Help

Teenagers in England at risk of leaving school without going into jobs or further education are to be assigned special counsellors. The government is concerned at the drag on the economy caused by more than 200,000 Neet teenagers.

This week’s Queen’s Speech will include a bill to raise the education leaving age from 16 to 18. The benefits system will also be changed to discourage dropping out.

There will be an attempt to identify at an early age those youngsters who, through drug or alcohol misuse or pregnancy, might become part of the Neet Culture. There will also be an expansion in the number of apprenticeships available, with an additional 90,000 places on top of the existing 150,000.

5th Nov 2007