Neet review author Milburn urges benefits cuts to fund youth employment support

The author of a government review into young people not in education, employment or training has urged ministers to cut welfare spending to fund more employment support.

• Milburn's review calculated a record 1 million 18- to 24-year-olds are classed as Neet, 60% of whom have never had a job.
• Milburn told the Guardian ministers should redistribute money from the welfare system to employment support to end the crisis.
• Chancellor John Healey announced a £100m local apprenticeship service last month, calling it a "downpayment on Alan Milburn's work".
• Milburn said ministers should introduce a maximum waiting time for mental health services, particularly for young people.