Councils will now be able to see how well they are getting young people into education, employment or training compared to other authorities, with the launch of a new annual scorecard.

The scorecard will rate councils' performance against the national average in areas such as tackling youth unemployment and tracking the activity of young people.

Scorecards covering the 16 to 19 age group will be published every summer.

Skills minister Nick Boles said: ‘With recent figures showing record lows in the number of young people not in education, employment or training, it is clear that our economic plan is working, but we know there is more to do, and the annual scorecards will prove a highly effective tool in delivering our commitment to helping young people reach their potential.'?

New local authority data shows a year-on-year rise in the proportion of 16- and 17-year-olds in education and training, with 52,000 fewer young people in this category since 2011.

Jim Leivers, Oxfordshire CC's director for children, education and families, added: ‘The scorecards are an excellent innovation, allowing us to measure our performance against the national average. 

‘The data is presented clearly and logically, which, from a practical viewpoint, allows us to see easily how we are performing in key areas.'?