Oral Answers to Questions

Stephen Metcalfe Excerpts

Wednesday 1st July 2015 Commons Chamber

The Minister for the Cabinet Office was asked—

[Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con)]

1. What progress he is making on increasing the number of places on the National Citizen Service.

[Martin Vickers (Cleethorpes) (Con)]

3. What progress he is making on increasing the number of places on the National Citizen Service.

[The Minister for Civil Society (Mr Rob Wilson)]

With your indulgence, Mr Speaker, may I first congratulate the hon. Member for Wigan (Lisa Nandy) on the birth of her son in May? I am sure that it is the reason for her absence today, as she normally shadows me.

More than 135,000 young people have benefited from the National Citizen Service in recent years. In 2015, more young people than ever will have the opportunity to take part. I have written to all Northern Irish and English MPs encouraging them to visit an NCS programme near them this summer.

[Stephen Metcalfe]

I have seen at first hand how the NCS programme can give young people greater confidence, help them work in their community and build long-lasting relationships. Will my hon. Friend confirm that the Government will continue to back the NCS into the future, so that we can give increasing numbers of young people the skills they need to get on in life?

[Mr Wilson]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right in his assessment, which is why I am delighted that more than 1,100 people took part in his constituency and the surrounding area last year and why I am committed to continuing the rapid expansion of the programme. He will be pleased to hear that 92% of participants say that the NCS helped them to develop useful skills for the future and 76% feel more confident about getting a job in the future.