One in six 18-year-olds in Britain is a “Neet” – teenagers not in employment, education or training – according to figures released on Tuesday highlighting stubbornly high levels of youth disengagement.

Ed Balls, children’s secretary, blamed the “tough” labour market for pushing up the number of 18-year-old Neets to a “disappointing” level. The proportion is significantly higher than when Labour came to power in 1997.