The Brilliant Club welcomes the ambition behind reforms announced today of building an education system that works for every young person. With more than one million young people now not in education, employment or training (NEET)[1], and young people from less advantaged backgrounds disproportionately affected[2], it is encouraging to see the government prioritise measures to expand educational opportunity.
Introducing technical pathways from age 14 and improving access to work experience have the potential to increase engagement, improve educational outcomes, and strengthen progression into rewarding employment, helping to address several long-standing and interconnected challenges in England’s education system. However, there is a risk that greater student choice below the age of 16 and an enhanced focus on local economic need could create unintended consequences. In particular, for young people from less advantaged backgrounds, who are already more likely to be NEET[3] and less likely to access higher education[4].
Evidence consistently shows that where a young person lives[5], their socio-economic background[6], and the support available through family and wider networks[7] have a significant impact on their educational choices and outcomes. Ensuring every young person has access to the high-quality information, advice and guidance they need to make informed choices about both technical and higher education pathways as part of this reform will therefore be vital to its success. Implementation should preserve flexibility, ensuring that choices made earlier in education do not limit future opportunities.
[1] DWP (2026) Milburn Review: interim findings
[2] DWP (2026) Milburn Review: interim findings
[3] DWP (2026) Milburn Review: interim findings
[4] DfE, Widening participation in higher education, Academic year 2023/24
[5] Sutton Trust (2025) Opportunity Index
[6] DfE (2025) Widening participation in higher education, Academic year 2023/24
[7] Institute for Fiscal Studies (2022) Education inequalities | Institute for Fiscal Studies