Young Futures Hubs

Viscount Brookeborough Excerpts

Thursday 24th July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

The right reverend Prelate is right, of course, that there will be different ways in which provision already exists and needs manifest themselves in different parts of the country. That is precisely why, in the development of not only the first early adopter hubs but the 50 hubs to be developed after that, there will be engagement with young people and a recognition of the particular needs and strengths of the various areas in which they are being set up.

[Viscount Brookeborough (CB)]

My Lords, does the Minister not agree that one of the main drivers of mental problems among young people, and indeed older ones, is financial instability? That arises from a lack of financial education, and not only in primary and secondary schools. There is a figure from only a few years ago that over 60% of university graduates feel that they do not have the education to manage their own financial affairs, even simple things such as future pensions and saving. What are the Government doing to improve that education though the schooling system?

[Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab)]

I hope the noble Viscount will look back at the responses that I gave, in considerably more detail than I will be able to do today, on a Question precisely about financial education about six weeks ago. The important point is that there are opportunities in the school curriculum already—in maths, citizenship and other areas—to develop financial literacy. It is of course also important that we find other ways and support them, and the answers that I gave previously outlined some of the partnerships we have and some of the ways we will use other resource to improve financial education for young people.