Youth Unemployment

Earl of Clancarty Excerpts

Thursday 5th February 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Palmer of Childs Hill (LD)]

My Lords—

[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords—

[Baroness Smith of Llanfaes (PC)]

My Lords—

--- Later in debate ---

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

This is precisely one of the questions that Alan Milburn will consider in his review. There appears to be a growing number of young people who are out of work for whom mental health issues are part of the reason. For many of those young people, it may well be that they would be better off in appropriate work. Being clear about the nature of that problem is an important part of Alan Milburn’s review. That, of course, goes alongside the additional support this Government are providing at an earlier stage in our schools to ensure that all schools also have access to mental health professionals, so that we can stop some of these problems earlier and before they escalate to blight people’s lives.

[The Earl of Clancarty (CB)]

My Lords, does the Minister agree with me that a balanced school education is hugely important in this to allow the widest possible opportunities for our young people?

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

Yes, I do. That is why, through the curriculum and assessment review, we have ensured that young people are getting the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in life and in work. We will continue to ensure that that is the case throughout our schools.