Young People in Scotland: Employment Opportunities

Debate between Lord Sarwar and Lord Bruce of Bennachie

Monday 14th September 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Sarwar (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for the question. He and I debated these issues in a very different Parliament not so long ago, and I am sure that neither of us imagined we would be debating in this Chamber today. As he knows, a lot of these responsibilities are devolved, so we have to make an assessment of the impact of the Employment Rights Act; but let us not forget that the Scottish Government are responsible for schools, high schools, colleges, universities, apprenticeships, the apprenticeship levy rates and so much more. Therefore, although we are confident that the Employment Rights Act will not have a detrimental impact on young workers, we need fundamental reform in Scotland in those other areas.

[Lord Bruce of Bennachie (LD)]

My Lords, does the Minister acknowledge that numerous tax and regulation actions are undertaken by both the UK Government and the Scottish Government that have an impact on job prospects for young people in Scotland, yet both Governments operate separate, unconnected programmes in Scotland to address youth unemployment? Would it be better if the two Governments worked together to find ways of jointly attacking the problem of youth unemployment, and, given that the Minister has experience of both this House and the Scottish Parliament, is he not the right Minister to lead that initiative?

[Lord Sarwar (Lab)]

I thank the noble Lord for that question. He can pay me all the compliments he likes—I will happily take them. Of course, on principle we should work together whenever it is in the national interest, and there will be different responsibilities of the Government here at Westminster and the Government in Scotland. For example, we have responsibility for the Employment Rights Act and the campaign to make work pay, along with increasing the national minimum wage for young people. We have the jobs guarantee scheme, and we have committed an additional £2.5 billion over the next three years to the youth guarantee scheme, as well as reforming the growth and skills levy. Of course, responsibility for how that levy is spent in Scotland is for the Scottish Government. Therefore, I accept the principle of the argument the noble Lord is making, and we stand ready to work with the Government in Scotland to deliver for Scotland’s amazing young people.