Young people are often demonised as good-for-nothing layabouts and new research is doing little to dispel that reputation.

The number of young people classed as ‘Neets’ – not in education, employment nor training – rose to 850,000 in 2008, a growth of 220,000 people.

So what’s the story where you work? Local authorities and the DWP should be able to help with figures.

While youth workers should be happy to speak about the positive schemes and projects keeping young people on the right track.