{
  "id": 19627830,
  "title": "Neets tsar Milburn says benefits overhaul will lead to savings ‘in a decade’",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/12/neets-tsar-milburn-says-benefits-overhaul-will-lead-to-savings-in-a",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-11-12T08:48:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "City AM",
    "slug": "city-am",
    "url": "https://www.cityam.com/neets-tsar-milburn-says-benefits-overhaul-will-lead-to-savings-in-a-decade/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Alan Milburn, the youth unemployment tsar, has proposed blocking individuals under 25 from accessing sickness and disability benefits, despite potential savings on the welfare bill taking up to a decade to materialize. In his upcoming report, Milburn advocates for prioritizing employment investment, mental health support, and helping people build a \"good life\" over welfare benefits. The review into youth unemployment aims to steer Andy Burnham towards major welfare reforms, which could help people enter the workforce and lower a £146bn bill, excluding child benefits and pensioner spending. The Prime Minister has expressed a desire to prevent any individual in their 20s from relying on benefits. Milburn's welfare proposals include transitioning young people to a \"youth allowance\" equivalent to Universal Credit rates, extending disability payments based on condition rather than means, and introducing a new benefit for those unable to work. He estimates that nearly 1 million people aged 18 to 24, who are not in education, employment, or training, will be offered a variety of options to enter the workforce. While the initial investments may strain public finances, Milburn argues that such spending is more cost-effective from both the young person's and taxpayer's perspectives, as it promotes employment rather than maintaining benefits. The reforms expected in the report could lead to a temporary pinch in young people's budgets, but Milburn emphasizes the long-term benefits of investing in their future prospects over short-term financial support. Pat McFadden, the work and pensions secretary, will respond to the Milburn review after its publication next week, while the government plans to consider recommendations from the Sir Stephen Timms review on disability payments. An interim report of the Milburn review suggests that the 'Neets' crisis costs the UK economy up to £125 billion annually due to lost output and increased welfare spending.",
  "summary": "The youth unemployment tsar Alan Milburn has called for people under 25 to be blocked from sickness and disability benefits although potential savings on the welfare bill could take a decade before they are realised. Ahead of his report’s publication, Milburn said young people should no longer claim benefits as he argued that the welfare [...]",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC News",
        "title": "Some under-25s should get less benefits, Milburn review to say",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/11/some-under-25s-should-get-less-benefits-milburn-review-to-say",
        "published": "2026-11-11T23:22:04.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}