Whitehall has left generation of teenagers with no hope, says Andy Burnham

Greater Manchester mayor says number of young people not in education, employment or training has reached unacceptable levels

The number of young people not in education, employment or training has risen to unacceptable levels because Whitehall is failing to listen and respond to their needs, Andy Burnham will say this week.

The mayor of Greater Manchester will warn in a key speech that the number of neets", which now stands at almost 1 million - the highest figure in 11 years - will continue to rise unless the Department for Education (DfE) adopts a new schools policy more geared to their requirements.