Exclusive from @eleanorhayward Britain is facing an “economic catastrophe” as young adults “rewired” by smartphones are becoming trapped in worklessness, a government review has found A landmark report into why one million young people are off work says businesses must adapt to this “anxious generation” by offering greater flexibility and mental health support Alan Milburn, a former health secretary, was appointed by Sir Keir Starmer to investigate the 946,000 16 to 24-year-olds not in education, employment or training, known as Neets His interim report, to be published next week, says that a “rising tide of mental ill-health, anxiety, depression, neurodiversity” is the main reason for high economic inactivity Milburn said that these young people “are not snowflakes or faking it”, adding that their heightened distress and anxiety is linked to growing up in a digital age on social media The review team held focus groups with young people, which revealed smartphones had led to poorer sleep and mental distress. “Every one of a group of ten 12 and 13-year-olds told us they went to bed between midnight and 3am because they were scrolling on their phone,” the review says Milburn said: “This is a bedroom generation. They are sort of living in their bedrooms. They are on all the time, they’re never off. [Social media] is leading to some evidence of functional impairment, changing their sleep patterns, concentration levels. That is having an impact on their ability to work “ thetimes.com/article/304dbf2…