To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what percentage of people aged under 18 and not in education, employment or training there were in each English region in the latest period for which figures are available. (188583)

The Department's estimate of the number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) cannot be disaggregated to regional level. However, we can estimate the number of young people NEET using figures drawn from the client management systems maintained by Connexions services. The following table shows the number and proportion of young people aged under 18 NEET in each Government office region at the end of December 2007 based on Connexions data.

The figures relate to 16 and 17-year-olds known to Connexions and are not directly comparable with statistics on 16 and 17-year-olds NEET published annually by the Department of Children, Schools and Families. This is because the Connexions NEET measure excludes those on gap years, or in custody and young people who attended independent schools or were at school outside England may also be excluded. In addition, the Department's statistics relate to the young person's academic age, rather than calendar age.