In the UK, there are alarmingly high levels of young women who are economically inactive (EI) and ’NEET’ (not in education, employment or training). Beyond an assumption that most young women who are NEET and EI are caring for others, there is limited research and policy which addresses this issue.

In 2016, Young Women’s Trust, working with Professor Sue Maguire (University of Bath), examined the background to economic inactivity through i) a literature review; ii) in-depth interviews with ten key experts; iii) analysis of data from the Labour Force Survey and NOMIS; and iv) case studies in five areas in England.