Here’s what Milburn needs to do next. 

Alan Milburn’s interim review lays bare the unforgivable scale at which the UK has failed to support young disabled people for decades. Over a quarter of young disabled people are not in education, employment or training. This points to a deep structural failure across education, healthcare, employers and the welfare system.  

This is not the fault of young disabled people. Most rightly have high ambitions for themselves, their lives, and their ability to contribute and succeed. They are not work shy, overly sensitive, snowflakes or scroungers. They are denied opportunities. 

It is the failure of society. Barrier after barrier is placed in their way against work. And they are then blamed and labelled for relying on the limited support available to keep afloat.   

Milburn’s diagnostic report shows the complex situation of many systems failing for young people. This has led to the UK’s “moral crisis” of nearly a million young people out of work, study and training. 

Young disabled people are held back. They face negative attitudes and barriers to participation. They are looked over and looked down upon. 

There is a lack of support, lack of tailored and adjusted methods of engaging with the world of work. Young disabled people come across closed door after closed door. From education, healthcare, local businesses and employers. 

Alan Milburn rightly concludes this is a failure at scale. And no singular government, organisation, policy, or authority is solely responsible. The UK’s approach to the needs and ambitions of young disabled people is broken. Nothing but complete upheaval and major investment will solve this issue.  

No one change will fix this problem. The job market young disabled people face is increasingly challenging. Insecure work, low retention, and impersonal AI-driven recruitment processes all pose barriers. While many employers continue to overlook the value and skills of disabled people. 

For every £1 spent to support young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) into work, £25 is spent on supporting them through welfare. But almost half (49%) of households with a young person under 22 receiving the Universal Credit health element are in poverty.  

Scope’s recent analysis found that if the Universal Credit health element was cut for under 22s, that number would rise to 94%. 

Cutting the minimum wage or benefits is not a solution. What is now needed is not silver bullet thinking. But real, sustained, society wide effort to tackle the structures blocking young disabled people’s success. 

Society must come together to address how we can break down these barriers. This includes politicians, employers, businesses, charities, universities, the NHS, training providers and schools. 

Next Steps  

Over the summer the real work begins for Milburn’s review as he prepares to craft recommendations.   

Nearly half (45%) NEETs are disabled. So it is vital young disabled people are brought in to shape these recommendations. 

For too long young disabled people have been locked out of decisions to do with their own lives. Now is the time to centre their voices, ambitions and skills to remove the barriers to their success.  

We need recommendations that reflect the problems faced by young disabled people. And consider socioeconomic background, lack of social mobility and geographic location. 

We know young people in coastal, rural, and former manufacturing towns have fewer chances to find meaningful work or training. And far greater costs in accessing services.  

Negative attitudes towards disabled people must be challenged at all levels. Early experiences of these attitudes knock young disabled people’s confidence. And impacts their ability to apply for jobs later on.  

Employers must show a willingness to provide secure entry level positions. And these positions need to provide adjustments and flexible working opportunities.   

Employment support services must be personalised and tailored to young disabled people. And must consider their needs and skills, and their local area.  

The threat of sanctions must be removed. Disabled people across the board fear the removal of vital welfare support. Sanctions will not encourage young disabled people to access job hunting support. Especially as trust in the Jobcentre model has all but collapsed.  

There must be reform of the Disability Confident, Access to Work and Youth Guarantee schemes. We need them to work and be accessible for all young disabled people.  

Finally, Milburn must recommend one single, joined up strategy for young disabled people. And this need to be implemented across education, health, welfare and employment. 

It should support all those who cannot work to live dignified lives. And support all those who want to and can to have accessible, meaningful, well paid employment.  

We must stop punishing young disabled people for what they cannot do. And for the failures of the labour market. Instead the government must overhaul our systems. This means investing properly and listening to young disabled people about what they need to fulfil their ambitions.