Alan Milburn’s independent review into youth unemployment, commissioned by the Government, is expected to recommend a major shift towards earlier identification of children at risk of becoming not in education, employment or training (NEET), starting in primary school and continuing through secondary education and into early adulthood.

The review is examining how a range of risk factors including poor school readiness, persistent absence, poverty, mental health needs and care experience can be used more systematically to identify pupils most at risk of later disengagement.

It is expected to call for stronger early intervention, including expanded tutoring, mentoring and targeted pastoral support, alongside more strategic use of Pupil Premium funding to prevent long term disengagement.

Its interim findings highlighted persistent absence as one of the strongest predictors of later NEET status, reinforcing the case for earlier, cross system intervention involving schools, health services and local employment support.

The final report, which will set out detailed policy recommendations for government, is due to be published later this autumn.