Young jobless are 'public health time-bomb' warns WHO

The World Health Organisation has warned that young people in this country who are not in employment, education or training (Neets) are a ''public health time-bomb waiting to explode".

In a wide-ranging review of social and health inequality it believes the UK is failing too many children, women and young people ''on a grand scale''.

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, who chaired the review, told BBC Radio 5 live's Drive: "If you're unemployed as well as being poor you're probably feeling down in the mouth... that also makes you far less likely to listen to advice about sensible drinking and smoking and diet and obesity."

The Department of Health said it took health inequalities "very seriously" and was working to eradicate the problem - with the number of children in workless poor families dropping by 100,000 over the past year.