A report released on Wednesday (20 August 2014), Staying Power: Making the raising of the participation age a policy success, will reveal that the Government’s RPA reform is at risk of minimal impact in its current state.
]Lancaster University’s Work Foundation warns that the Government’s removal of legal enforcements and many financial incentives – means that, without significant improvements to the educational offer, the reform is at risk of failing. The report highlights that the UK already faces one of the lowest rates of 15-19 year olds participating in education and training amongst OECD nations (78 percent) – below that of Spain (86 percent), France (84 percent) and Italy (81 percent). The need to bridge this gap has gained increasing political support and the reforms presented a significant opportunity to improve participation rates.
The paper’s author, Beth Foley, suggests that the policy will see further pressure being placed on spending for 16-18 year olds, which has already fallen from 7.7bn (2010/11) to 7bn (2012/13). In addition, the removal of the Educational Maintenance Allowance (EMA) and cuts to local authority budgets will negatively affect the ability of RPA to reach those from disadvantaged backgrounds, who are more likely to be NEET.
The paper – supported by Barclays, Impetus – The Private Equity Foundation, and Trust for London – makes the following recommendations: Improving the quality of options available post-16, given concerns remain about the take-up, quality, and market value of the current options. Improving careers advice and guidance to ensure that it becomes independent, and that face-to-face advice is made available for 16-18 year olds. Introducing Youth Transition Partnerships to join up services currently available to support young people’s transition from school to work. Increasing the financial support options for learners aged 16-19 by widening the eligibility for the new Bursary Scheme in addition to transport assistance Focusing on better tracking and monitoring given the voluntary nature of the legislation.
Commenting on the paper, Beth Foley, researcher at The Work Foundation, said: “Without legal enforcement, much of the success of the increase in participation age to 18 depends upon the ‘carrots’ on offer. The Government must provide the necessary support to ensure careers advice and financial assistance reaches the most disaffected and disadvantaged young people. Any less would represent a missed opportunity at a time when youth unemployment remains a serious problem.” This paper is part of the Missing Million series examining youth unemployment in the UK.
