Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, to ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the Written Statement of 8 December 2025 on Support for Young People, HCWS1137, what evidence underpinned the selection of Birmingham & Solihull as a pilot area for the Jobs Guarantee; what assessment he has made of how differing labour market conditions in neighbouring areas such as Walsall and Sandwell will affect delivery outcomes; and if he will publish comparative data on long-term youth unemployment across the West Midlands Combined Authority area.

The government is investing over £1.5 billion in tackling youth unemployment and inactivity, including £820 million for the expanded Youth Guarantee and £725 million for the Growth and Skills Levy. This will provide young people aged 16–24 with greater support into work and learning, including a Jobs Guarantee offering fully subsidised paid work for every 18–21-year-old on Universal Credit for 18 months.

The Jobs Guarantee will be fully rolled out Nationally in the Autumn 2026 with the aim of supporting 55,000 young people.

However, we know young people need support quickly and that is why we will begin delivery of Phase 1 of the Jobs Guarantee in six areas from spring 2026, including Birmingham and Solihull. Across these six areas, we will deliver over 1000 job starts in the first six months, by funding six experienced partners. As the scheme will be ultimately rolled out across Great Britain labour market conditions in neighbouring areas will not impact delivery.

The six areas selected have some of the highest need for the Jobs Guarantee over the period and sufficient capacity at the Job Centre level to accommodate this initial phase. We have also selected a range of areas with a variety of geographies and labour markets to provide a test for the programme.