Found: Great Britain, and we recently launched an Independent Report into Young People and Work, led by Alan Milburn

Found: Alan Milburn is leading a NEET strategy, that is coming out soon, for young people who are not in employment

Found: Great Britain, and we recently launched an Independent Report into Young People and Work, led by Alan Milburn

Found: We recommend the Independent Investigation into Tackling Rising Youth Inactivity led by Alan Milburn

Found: Q22 Mr Bedford: Alan Milburn is going to be leading an independent review into youth inactivity.

Found: If you look at the terms of reference that we have written for Alan Milburn, they talk about policy

Found: In the foreword to that document, the then Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn wrote ‘physical

Found: In the foreword to that document, the then Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn wrote ‘physical

Found: Q70 Joe Robertson: When Tony Blair and Alan Milburn were doing this in the 2000s, as you said, and delivering

Found: Q70 Joe Robertson: When Tony Blair and Alan Milburn were doing this in the 2000s, as you said, and delivering

Found: are currently working through with the transition board that is co-chaired by Penny Dash and Alan Milburn

Found: creating apprenticeships, facilitating equitable opportunities for people from all walks of life; Alan Milburn

Found: inclusion (Good Things Foundation 2024); see section on Employability (Jobs and Skills) Rt Hon Alan Milburn

Found: Now that you have Alan Milburn, who is an evangelist for PFI in some people’s minds, where are you

Found: That was the organisation that was meant to hold the feet of government to the fire, as Alan Milburn

Found: In the Foreword to that document, the then Secretary of State for Health, Alan Milburn wrote ‘physical

Found: there were people I knew and had good relationships with, but others who were completely new—Alan Milburn

Found: there were people I knew and had good relationships with, but others who were completely new—Alan Milburn

Found: there were people I knew and had good relationships with, but others who were completely new—Alan Milburn

Found: It launched in July 2023 – chaired by Rt Hon Alan Milburn – and will publish its final report in

Found: in Hospital Trusts today as part of the ‘NHS Plan’ introduced by Labour Health Secretary, Alan Milburn

Found: SMC Chairs have resigned before the end of their respective terms: in December 2017 the Rt Hon Alan Milburn

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 30 December 2025 (HL12932), whether they plan to commission research into the number of young people not in education, employment or training because they are waiting for mental health, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder or autism services or diagnosis; and what steps they will take to understand the scale of that issue.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Secretary of State has commissioned the Right Honourable Alan Milburn to author a report that will seek to understand the drivers of the increase in the number of young people who are not in education, employment, or training. He will be supported by a panel of experts with diverse expertise and will be mobilising the existing Youth Guarantee Advisory Panel.

The research and analysis to inform the report will aim to improve our understanding of the number of young people not in education, employment or training, including identification of those with health needs.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to ensure that young disabled people can enter and stay in work.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Good work is good for health, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. The Get Britain Working White Paper launched in November 2024 set out how we will drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity, backed by £240 million investment, for which the Northern Ireland executive received consequential funding in the usual way.

Disabled people and people with health conditions, including young disabled people can face a wide range of unique, yet intersecting barriers, relating to not just their health, but their employment and circumstance (Work aspirations and support needs of health and disability customers: Final findings report - GOV.UK). We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Existing measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres in Great Britain.

DWP set out our plan for the “Pathways to Work Guarantee” in our Pathways to Work Green Paper and we are building towards our guaranteed offer of personalised work, health and skills support for disabled people and those with health conditions on out of work benefits in Great Britain. The guarantee is backed by £1 billion a year of new, additional funding for the UK by the end of the decade, the Northern Ireland executive will receive their share of this funding in the usual way. We anticipate the guarantee, once fully rolled out in Great Britain, will include: a support conversation to identify next steps, one-to-one caseworker support, periodic engagement, and an offer of specialist long-term work health and skills support.

In recognition of employers’ vital role in addressing health-related economic activity, we appointed Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead the independent Keep Britain Working Review across the UK. The Report was published on 5 November. In partnership with DBT and DHSC, we are immediately launching Vanguards to test new employer-led approaches to support individuals to stay in work and develop a Healthy Workplace Standard, putting Sir Charlie’s key recommendations into action.

Additionally, the Joint Work and Health Directorate (JWHD) has developed a digital information service for employers and continues to oversee the Disability Confident Scheme in Great Britain where we have recently announced plans to make the scheme more robust.

Alan Milburn will author an independent report to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people out of work, education and training. The report will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun. It will make recommendations for policy response to help young people access work, training or education, ensuring they are supported to thrive and are not sidelined.

In Northern Ireland, health, skills, careers and employment support are transferred matters. My officials work closely with those in the Northern Ireland Executive, sharing best practice in regard to providing employment support to disabled people.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to support disabled people who face the greatest barriers to work.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Good work is good for health, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. The Get Britain Working White Paper launched in November 2024 set out how we will drive forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity, backed by £240 million investment, for which the Northern Ireland executive received consequential funding in the usual way.

Disabled people and people with health conditions, including young disabled people can face a wide range of unique, yet intersecting barriers, relating to not just their health, but their employment and circumstance (Work aspirations and support needs of health and disability customers: Final findings report - GOV.UK). We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Existing measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres in Great Britain.

DWP set out our plan for the “Pathways to Work Guarantee” in our Pathways to Work Green Paper and we are building towards our guaranteed offer of personalised work, health and skills support for disabled people and those with health conditions on out of work benefits in Great Britain. The guarantee is backed by £1 billion a year of new, additional funding for the UK by the end of the decade, the Northern Ireland executive will receive their share of this funding in the usual way. We anticipate the guarantee, once fully rolled out in Great Britain, will include: a support conversation to identify next steps, one-to-one caseworker support, periodic engagement, and an offer of specialist long-term work health and skills support.

In recognition of employers’ vital role in addressing health-related economic activity, we appointed Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead the independent Keep Britain Working Review across the UK. The Report was published on 5 November. In partnership with DBT and DHSC, we are immediately launching Vanguards to test new employer-led approaches to support individuals to stay in work and develop a Healthy Workplace Standard, putting Sir Charlie’s key recommendations into action.

Additionally, the Joint Work and Health Directorate (JWHD) has developed a digital information service for employers and continues to oversee the Disability Confident Scheme in Great Britain where we have recently announced plans to make the scheme more robust.

Alan Milburn will author an independent report to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people out of work, education and training. The report will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun. It will make recommendations for policy response to help young people access work, training or education, ensuring they are supported to thrive and are not sidelined.

In Northern Ireland, health, skills, careers and employment support are transferred matters. My officials work closely with those in the Northern Ireland Executive, sharing best practice in regard to providing employment support to disabled people.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to his Department's register of board members' interests, 2025 to 2026, published on 5 September 2025, what business A.M.Strategy undertakes.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Rt. Hon. Alan Milburn has declared A.M. Strategy Ltd in the Department’s register of interests. This is the business through which he has provided advisory services for several years.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking to help reduce age-related barriers in recruitment practices.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We recognise that young people face additional barriers, with almost one million currently not in education, employment or training. At Budget 2025, the Government committed over £1.5 billion to improve youth participation, including £820 million for the Youth Guarantee and £725 million for the Growth and Skills Levy. Further details of the announcement can be found here: Written statements - Written questions, answers and statements - UK Parliament. We have also commissioned the Right Honourable Alan Milburn to author a report that will seek to understand the drivers of the increase in the number of young people who are not in education, employment, or training and to investigate the root causes of this rise in economic inactivity

We also work with employers nationally to recognise the value of older workers and promote age inclusive recruitment and retention. We encourage participation in initiatives such as the Age-Friendly Employer Pledge and provide tailored support to employers to embed flexible working, age positive hiring approaches, and accessible career development. This includes helping employers create recruitment models that attract older jobseekers by promoting flexible job design, return-to-work schemes, and targeted recruitment campaigns. Alongside our work with employers, we support jobseekers through our network of Jobcentres and contracted employment programmes. This includes specific support for eligible older workers including Additional Work Coach Time and Midlife MOTs, which provide an opportunity to review health, finances and skills and signpost to suitable support. There is also a digital Midlife MOT available to everyone

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what the (a) name, (b) job title, (c) annual remuneration, (d) time commitment and (e) expected end date is for each direct ministerial appointment in his Department.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Details of each direct ministerial appointment currently in post can be found in the below table. Details of appointees renumeration have been included where they are paid for their work directly.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2025 to Question 94070, when the independent investigation will be published.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

An independent investigation has been launched to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people out of work, education and training.

Led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, the review will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun.

The review will be taken forward in two distinct phases: a discovery phase; and a solution phase.

The discovery phase will conclude by Spring 2026, at which point the Author is expected to produce, and submit to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, an interim review.

The review will then continue into the solution phase, with the Chair providing a full and final review by Summer 2026.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the comments by Baroness Sherlock comments in reply to Lord Hunt of Wirral in the House on 18 December, whether the independent investigation into rising youth inactivity will look at incentives, in particular earnings relative to benefits and the effect of rises in the minimum wage on the attractiveness of employing young people.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Young People and Work Report will take a holistic view to identify any and all of the factors that may be driving the increase in the number of young people who are not in education, employment, or training.

The Report’s Call for Evidence, launched on 16 December, is seeking evidence and insight to answer two questions:

1. What is stopping more young people from participating in employment, education or training?
2. What would make the biggest difference to support more young people to participate?

In answering these questions, the report’s Call for Evidence has asked for insight and evidence on a range of potential factors, including:

• The benefits and employment support systems
• The changing nature of the labour market and work,
• Any changes in the aspirations and attitudes of young people and employers

The Right Honourable Alan Milburn will author the report. He will share his interim findings with Government in Spring 2026, with final recommendations in Summer 2026.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking in response to the findings of PwC’s Youth Employment Index regarding the role of long-term sickness in driving youth economic inactivity.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Long-term sickness continues to be the most common reason for economic inactivity in the working age population. Good work is generally good for health and wellbeing, so we want everyone to get work and get on in work, whoever they are and wherever they live. Backed by £240 million investment, the Get Britain Working White Paper launched in November 2024 is driving forward approaches to tackling economic inactivity.

Young disabled people and young people with health conditions are a diverse group so access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, is key. We therefore have a range of specialist initiatives to support individuals to stay in work and get back into work, including those that join up employment and health systems. Existing measures include support from Work Coaches and Disability Employment Advisers in Jobcentres and Access to Work grants, as well as joining up health and employment support around the individual through Employment Advisors in NHS Talking Therapies, Individual Placement and Support in Primary Care and WorkWell.

Additionally, the Youth Guarantee and Pathways to Work will guarantee specialist support for young people with long-term health conditions and disabled young people. We have announced an £820 million funding package for the Youth Guarantee to overhaul support and give a generation of young people a brighter future.

We set out our plan for the “Pathways to Work Guarantee” in our Pathways to Work Green Paper and we are building towards our guaranteed offer of personalised work, health and skills support for disabled people and those with health conditions on out of work benefits. The guarantee is backed by £1 billion a year of new, additional funding by the end of the decade. We anticipate the guarantee, once fully rolled out, will include: a support conversation to identify next steps, one-to-one caseworker support, periodic engagement, and an offer of specialist long-term work health and skills support.

In recognition of employers’ vital role in addressing health-related economic activity, we appointed Sir Charlie Mayfield to lead the independent Keep Britain Working Review. The Report was published on 5 November. In partnership with DBT and DHSC, we are immediately launching Vanguards to test new employer-led approaches to support individuals to stay in work and develop a Healthy Workplace Standard, putting Sir Charlie’s key recommendations into action from day one.  Additionally, the JWHD has developed a digital information service for employers, continues to oversee the Disability Confident Scheme, and continues to increase access to Occupational Health.

The NHS 10 Year Health Plan, published in July, stated our intention to break down barriers to opportunity by delivering the holistic support that people need to access and thrive in employment by ensuring a better health service for everyone, regardless of condition or service area. It outlines how the neighbourhood health service will join up support from across the work, health and skills systems to help address the multiple complex challenges that often stop people finding and staying in work.

Additionally, Alan Milburn will author an independent report to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people out of work, education and training. The report will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun, with a particular focus on the impact of mental health conditions and disability. It will make recommendations for policy response to help young people with health conditions access work, training or education, ensuring they are supported to thrive and are not sidelined. It will complement the Timms Review by focusing specifically on the links between youth mental health, economic inactivity and the benefit system.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what support will be offered to disabled young people not currently in education, employment or training.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Pathways to Work is a guaranteed offer of tailored work, health and skills support for all disabled people, including young people, and those with health conditions on out of work benefits. We are rolling out our new support offer, backed by new funding building to £1bn a year by the end of the decade, with much of our plan already in motion. There are now over 1,000 FTE Pathways to Work Advisors in Jobcentres across England, Scotland and Wales who are helping disabled people and people with health conditions towards and into work.

We are also testing how best to deliver and integrate work, health and skills support locally – including through Mayoral Strategic Authorities with 9 Economic Inactivity and 8 Youth Guarantee Trailblazers live across England and Wales. We are delivering the NHS 10 Year Plan, and have introduced WorkWell in 15 sites across England, testing a new way to integrate health and work support.

We are also expanding our support for all young people, by expanding Youth Hubs to every local area across Great Britian. These Hubs will provide comprehensive support, such as mental health, housing, skills training, and employer engagement, to all 16-24 year olds, regardless of their benefit status.

Finally, we are considering how we might go even further. The Right Honourable Alan Milburn will lead an investigation into the rise in young people not in employment, education, or training, with findings to be published by Summer 2026. The report launched its formal call for evidence this week, on 16 December, and will remain open until 30 January.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps he is taking with cabinet colleagues to support young disabled people with complex needs into work.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Government is taking action to help young disabled people and young people with complex health needs move towards work. This is a diverse group, so it is key that the individual gets access to the right work and health support, in the right place, at the right time, for them.

The Youth Guarantee and Pathways to Work will guarantee specialist support for young people with long-term health conditions and disabled young people.

We have announced an £820 million funding package for the Youth Guarantee to overhaul support and give a generation of young people a brighter future. Over the next three years:

• Almost one million young people on Universal Credit across Great Britain will benefit from support designed to get them into employment and learning.
• For young people on Universal Credit and looking for work, we will create guaranteed jobs for almost 55,000 young people, giving them the start they need; alongside nearly 300,000 additional work experience and training opportunities.
• Additionally, we will further expand our Youth Hubs to over 360 to every local area of Great Britain.

Through Pathways to Work we are building towards a guaranteed offer of personalised work, health and skills support for all disabled people and those with health conditions on out of work benefits. This will be the biggest investment in support for disabled people and those with health conditions in at least a generation. We anticipate that, once fully rolled out, the Pathways to Work Guarantee will offer a comprehensive range of support including: a support conversation to identify next steps, one-to-one caseworker support, periodic engagement and an offer of specialist long-term work health and skills support.

Youth Guarantee and Pathways to Work will build on the range of support available to disabled people and people with health conditions, regardless of their benefit status or Work Group. For example, Connect to Work a supported employment programme that joins up work skills and health support, and Employment Advisers in NHS Talking Therapies, which combine the expertise of therapists and employment advisers to give those with mental health conditions the support they need to find work tailored to them. Additionally, disabled people and people with health conditions might be able to access WorkWell, which is our new way to deliver integrated work and health support through local partnerships.

Finally, we are considering how we might go even further. The Right Honourable Alan Milburn will lead on an investigation of the rise in youth inactivity with a particular focus on the impact of mental health conditions and disability. Reporting in Summer 2026.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of the Autumn Budget 2025 on the number of NEET young people.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Budget made more than £1.5bn available over the next three years for investment inemployment and skills support. This funds £820m for the Youth Guarantee and provides£725m for the Growth and Skills Levy, ensuring young people have the support they need toearn or learn. The Youth Guarantee will include the Jobs Guarantee, which is guaranteeing six-months of paid work for every eligible 18-21 year old who has been on Universal Credit andlooking for work for 18 months. Under the Jobs Guarantee we will fund 100% of the wages forthe six months (up to 25hrs/week at the relevant minimum wage), as well as the additionalemployment costs.

An independent investigation has also been launched to identify how we can go further totackle the root causes of youth activity. Led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, the probewill examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or educationbefore their careers have begun, with a particular focus on the impact of mental healthconditions and disability.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the answer of 15 September 2025, to Question 73327, on Alan Milburn, what other (a) NHS, (b) social care and (c) other matters Alan Milburn has recused himself from.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Prior to appointment, non-executive candidates are required to declare all relevant interests. Appropriate mitigations are then put in place and approved by the Department.

This process was carried out for the Rt Hon. Alan Milburn, whose interests and any updates to them are available in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts and on the GOV.UK website in alignment with Government policy.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to Answer of 21 November 2025 to Question 91083, on Young People: Unemployment, what assessment she has made of the reasons the UK has above-OECD average youth unemployment in the context of careers guidance pupils receive.

Answered by Josh MacAlister - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)

The department is committed to improving careers advice in schools and colleges and to delivering two weeks’ worth of work experience for every young person, with a particular focus on those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This will mean improved work readiness and clearer progression routes to ensure young people remain engaged in education, training or employment.

This is part of a package of reforms that will expand opportunity for young people including Youth Hubs, Youth Guarantee trailblazers, expanded Foundation Apprenticeships and a job guarantee for young people. Building on this, the department have asked Alan Milburn to lead an independent investigation to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people out of work, education and training.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 15 September 2025 to Question 73327 on Alan Milburn, if he will list which other areas of health policy Mr Milburn has recused himself from.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Prior to appointment, non-executive candidates are required to declare all relevant interests. Appropriate mitigations are then put in place and approved by the Department.

This process was carried out for the Rt Hon. Alan Milburn, whose interests, and any updates to them, are available in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts and on the GOV.UK website in alignment with Government policy.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether the report into young people and work will examine the reasons behind the number of young people claiming health and disability benefits.

Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

We recognise that some young people are struggling to find their place in work, education or training.

The report into young people and work will seek to:

• Understand the drivers of the increase in the number of young people who are Not in Education Employment or Training (NEET) and claiming health and disability benefits, including childhood experience
• Investigate the root causes of this rise in economic inactivity among disabled young people and those with health conditions
• Make recommendations for policy responses aimed at increasing opportunities for young people

The Right Honourable Alan Milburn will author the report and will be supported by a range of voices with expertise from the labour market and health spheres.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the reasons why the youth unemployment rate in the UK was above the OECD average as of June 2025.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) has been rising for too long, which is why we are tackling this crisis of opportunity with new energy and determination.

As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we are developing a Youth Guarantee. Our Youth Guarantee will ensure eligible 18-to-21-year-olds have access to education, training, an apprenticeship - or ultimately guaranteed paid work if they cannot find a job.

In addition, an independent investigation has been launched to identify how we can go further to tackle the root causes of youth activity. Led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, the report will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun, with a particular focus on the impact of mental health conditions and disability. The Terms of Reference can be found here.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps is he taking to measure progress in reducing youth unemployment relative to OECD comparators.

Answered by Diana Johnson - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

The number of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET) has been rising for too long, which is why we are tackling this crisis of opportunity with new energy and determination.

As set out in the Get Britain Working White Paper, we are developing a Youth Guarantee. Our Youth Guarantee will ensure eligible 18-to-21-year-olds have access to education, training, an apprenticeship - or ultimately guaranteed paid work if they cannot find a job.

In addition, an independent investigation has been launched to identify how we can go further to tackle the root causes of youth activity. Led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, the report will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun, with a particular focus on the impact of mental health conditions and disability. The Terms of Reference can be found here.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department will wait for the outcome of its independent investigation of youth inactivity before deciding whether to proceed with proposals to prevent under-22s from accessing the health element of Universal Credit, in the context of the Pathways to Work Green Paper.

Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)

Nearly one million young people - approximately one in eight 16 to 24-year-olds - are currently not in education, employment, or training (NEET). Further to this, the number of young people claiming Universal Credit (UC) Health Element and Employment and Support Allowance has increased by more than 50% in the last five years, with 80% of young people on the UC Health element currently citing mental health reasons or a neurodevelopmental condition among declared health conditions.

We need to look at this problem holistically, which is why we have launched an independent report to investigate the persistently high numbers of young people out of work, education and training led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn. The report will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun - with a particular focus on the impact of mental health conditions and disability.

We consulted on raising the age someone can access the UC Health Element to 22 in the Green Paper ‘Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working. We are considering responses and will provide an update in due course.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent estimate she has made of the proportion of people not in employment, education, or training who are claiming Universal Credit in the North West.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

Statistics on young people claiming UC can be found on DWP Stat Xplore - Stat-Xplore - Log in

Statistics on young people who are NEET are produced by DfE and the ONS –

Statistics: NEET and participation - GOV.UK and Young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), UK - Office for National Statistics

The Get Britain Working White Paper set plans to develop a Youth Guarantee which will ensure 18- to 21-year-olds are earning or learning.

An independent investigation has been launched to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people out of work, education and training.

Led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, the probe will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun — with a particular focus on the impact of mental health conditions and disability.

The Terms of Reference can be found here.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the terms and conditions for non-executive board member appointments agreed to by Alan Milburn.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

We will not be publishing personal appointment letters, which include terms and conditions of appointment, sent to Departmental non-executive board members. The terms and conditions are in line with those for other public appointments made by the Department and include the need to abide by Cabinet Office’s Code of Conduct for Board Members of Public Bodies.

The role of board members, their salary, time commitment and political activity are all already in the public domain.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Department's register of board members' interests 2024-2025, updated on 16 January 2025, whether Alan Milburn has recused himself from (a) discussions and (b) activity relating to NHS dentistry.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Mr Milburn has agreed to recuse himself from discussions and activity relating to National Health Service dentistry. Declarations of interest and any updates to them are published in the Register of Interests in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts, and on the GOV.UK website, in alignment with Government policy.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 23 April 2025 to Question 45093 on Alan Milburn, whether Mr Milburn has initiated the process outlined in that Answer.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Any updates to a declaration of interest will be published in the Register of Interests in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts, and on the GOV.UK website, in alignment with Government policy.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Mr Alan Milburn has consulted his Department on taking on any new work that involves, or may potentially involve, health and social care through his business A.M. Strategy Ltd.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The usual process of declarations of interest and agreement of appropriate mitigations for non-executive board member (NEBM) appointments was carried out, overseen by the Permanent Secretary, when Mr Milburn was initially appointed. NEBMs’ contract terms state that they must alert the Department to any new interests. Mr Milburn will consult with the Department before taking on any new work which involves, or may potentially involve, health and social care through his business A.M. Strategy Ltd.

NEBM declarations of interest are published each year in the Register of Interests in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts, and are also be published on the GOV.UK website, at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/dhsc-register-of-board-members-interests-2024-to-2025/dhsc-register-of-board-members-interests-2024-to-2025

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which office in his Department Alan Milburn sits in.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Alan Milburn was appointed as Lead Non-Executive Member to the board of the Department on 8 November 2024.

Non-executive board members provide independent advice and expertise to inform the Department's strategy, performance, and governance, and the lead non-executive board member provides additional support to my Rt Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in their role as Chair of the Board.

Non-executive board members do not have a designated space within the Department’s office buildings. They may attend meetings in person or virtually as required.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many meetings Alan Milburn attended with (a) ministers and (b) officials in his Department between 5 July 2024 and 9 November 2024; and how his Department communicated with Mr Milburn in that period.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, said in Parliament on 9 September 2024, “The right honourable Alan Milburn is a former Member of this House, a member of the Privy Council and a former Health Secretary. There is a clear distinction between inviting people with a wide range of experience and perspectives into the Department to have policy debates and to generate ideas, and having meetings that are about transacting Government business. I can assure the House that nothing commercially sensitive has been shared with Alan Milburn.”

He also said that “transparency matters. That is why meetings in the Department, and their attendees, will be published in the right and proper way on a quarterly basis.” As part of this quarterly return, and in line with guidance, we will be listing the purpose of the meetings.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 1 November 2024 to Question 9445 on Department of Health and Social Care: Public Appointments, what interests Alan Milburn has declared since being appointed as a Lead Non-Executive Board Member.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The usual process of declarations of interest and agreement of appropriate mitigations for non-executive board member (NEBM) appointments was carried out, overseen by the Permanent Secretary. He is content that the process has been carried out, that appropriate declarations have been made, and that appropriate mitigations for any conflicts arising have been put in place. NEBMs are contracted to work for two to three days a month and therefore it is not unusual for them to hold multiple other positions and interests. Their declarations of interest are published each year in the Register of Interests in the Department’s Annual Report and Accounts, and will also be published on GOV.UK website as per the new guidance on NEBM declarations of interest, that will be published soon. These declarations will be published at the earliest opportunity.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 17 September (HL1069), whether Alan Milburn's commercial interests in healthcare were declared to the department when he provided advice to Ministers and officials; and whether the discussions with Ministers and officials included topics which touched on private sector involvement in healthcare.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

As the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care said in the House of Commons on 9 September 2024, “The right honourable Alan Milburn is a former Member of this House, a member of the Privy Council and a former Health Secretary. There is a clear distinction between inviting people with a wide range of experience and perspectives into the Department to have policy debates and to generate ideas, and having meetings that are about transacting Government business. I can assure the House that nothing commercially sensitive has been shared with Alan Milburn.”

He also said that “transparency matters. That is why meetings in my Department, and their attendees, will be published in the right and proper way on a quarterly basis.” As part of this quarterly return, and in line with guidance, we will be listing the purpose of the meetings.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, on what dates Alan Milburn has attended Departmental meetings.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Central Government Corporate Transparency Commitments require Government Departments to publish details of Ministers and Senior Officials meetings with external individuals or organisations on a quarterly basis. We will be publishing the meetings that Alan Milburn attended, in accordance with the transparency guidelines.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Merron on 17 September (HL1071), how many Departmental meetings since the last general election Alan Milburn has attended where Ministers were not present.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

Central Government Corporate Transparency Commitments require Government Departments to publish details of Ministers and Senior Officials meetings with external individuals or organisations on a quarterly basis. We will be publishing the meetings that Alan Milburn attended, in accordance with the Transparency guidelines.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Alan Milburn has been issued with a departmental security pass.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As my Rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, stated in Parliament on 9 September 2024, Alan Milburn does not hold a Departmental pass.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 9 September (HC Deb col 578), whether Alan Milburn declared his financial interests to the Permanent Secretary; what steps have been taken to mitigate conflicts of interest in the advice from Mr Milburn; whether they will place a copy of any such declaration in the Library of the House; and whether Mr Milburn has signed a confidentiality agreement with the Department.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

As the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care stated in Parliament on 9 September 2024, it is absolutely right that people appointed to roles in public life declare their conflicts of interest so that they can be assessed when taking decisions or exercising powers to ensure that they are doing so in a way that manages those conflicts of interest and no conflict arises. Alan Milburn does not have a role in the Department of Health and Social Care.

It is also entirely legitimate for Government Departments to invite people with a wide range of experience and insight to advise on policy debates and discussions. We do not ask them all to declare their interests.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has shared (a) official sensitive documents and (b) documents of a higher sensitivity classification with Alan Milburn.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As my rt. Hon. friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, set out in the House, papers were shared with my rt. Hon. friend, Alan Milburn, on Privy Council terms. Nothing commercially sensitive was shared during these interactions. We have no plans to share such documentation with other Privy Councillors or hon. Members on Privy Council terms.

It is not unusual to share official documentation when appropriate based on the business need; for example with other Government Departments, NHS England, and other external experts.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make official documents shared with Alan Milburn available to (a) Privy Councillors on all sides of the House on Privy Council terms or (b) hon. Members.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As my rt. Hon. friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, set out in the House, papers were shared with my rt. Hon. friend, Alan Milburn, on Privy Council terms. Nothing commercially sensitive was shared during these interactions. We have no plans to share such documentation with other Privy Councillors or hon. Members on Privy Council terms.

It is not unusual to share official documentation when appropriate based on the business need; for example with other Government Departments, NHS England, and other external experts.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether Mr Alan Milburn is a Ministerial or departmental adviser; and what meetings Mr Milburn has had with Ministers since the general election.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Whilst Alan Milburn is neither a Ministerial nor Departmental adviser, he is a Privy Councillor and a former Secretary of State for Health. As my rt. Hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, stated in Parliament on 9 September 2024, details of meetings will be published on GOV.UK in the usual manner.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has shared official documents classified as official sensitive or higher with any individuals, not including Alan Milburn, who do not have an official role within his Department.

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

As my rt. Hon. friend, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, set out in the House, papers were shared with my rt. Hon. friend, Alan Milburn, on Privy Council terms. Nothing commercially sensitive was shared during these interactions. We have no plans to share such documentation with other Privy Councillors or hon. Members on Privy Council terms.

It is not unusual to share official documentation when appropriate based on the business need; for example with other Government Departments, NHS England, and other external experts.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what meetings Alan Milburn has had with the Department of Health and Social Care or NHS England since the general election (1) with, and (2) without, Ministers being present; and whether his commercial and financial interests were declared ahead of such meetings.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

As the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care stated in Parliament on 9 September 2024, the Rt. Hon. Alan Milburn is a former Member of the House of Commons, a member of the Privy Council and a former Secretary of State for Health. At every Departmental meeting he has attended, he has been present at the request of ministers.

Ministerial meetings attended by third parties are declared in the quarterly transparency publication on GOV.UK. The Secretary of State also assured the House of Commons that nothing commercially sensitive has been shared with Alan Milburn.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on 9 September (HC Deb col 578), whether Alan Milburn joined any ministerial discussions, or viewed any ministerial papers, relating to private sector involvement in the NHS.

Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

As the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care stated in Parliament on 9 September 2024, the Rt. Hon. Alan Milburn is a former Member of the House of Commons, a member of the Privy Council and a former Secretary of State for Health. At every Departmental meeting he has attended, he has been present at the request of ministers.

Ministerial meetings attended by third parties are declared in the quarterly transparency publication on GOV.UK. The Secretary of State also assured the House of Commons that nothing commercially sensitive has been shared with Alan Milburn.

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