Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, how many 16 to 19 year olds are not undertaking a study programme.

At the end of 2013, 1,094,000 young people aged 16-18 were studying on full-time study programmes in state-funded post-16 institutions (excluding higher education and independent schools). Of the remainder, 494,000 were in full-time education in independent schools, higher education, or part-time education; 220,000 were in other training or employment; and 148,000 were not in education, training or employment (NEET).

It is up to schools, colleges and training providers to tailor study programmes to meet the career aspirations of students based on their prior attainment. The principal components of a 16-19 study programme include typically a substantial qualification (such as one or more A levels or Tech Levels), work experience and other non-qualification activity. English and maths also feature for students who failed to achieve an A*-C GCSE in maths and English by age 16.