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 potential merits of introducing a Youth Opportunity Grant for young people aged 18 and over to help with essential costs such as (a) travel, (b) work clothing, (c) tools and (d) equipment to move towards employment.

The Flexible Support Fund (FSF) may be available through Jobcentre Plus to help eligible customers (including young people aged 18 and over) to overcome practical barriers to employment, increase their earnings, or move closer to the labour market. This includes employment related costs such as travel, work clothing, tools and equipment. Support is discretionary, subject to eligibility, and assessed on an individual basis.