Question to the Department for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation, Science and Trade, with reference to the Professional and Business Services Jobs Plan, published on 19 October 2026, what steps he is taking to ensure that young people from disadvantaged backgrounds in Essex can access the apprenticeship and work-experience opportunities created under the plan.

The Government is committed to ensuring that young people from all backgrounds can access opportunities in professional and business services. The Jobs Plan includes commitments to increase work experience for under-25s by 20% and recruit 22,400 apprentices aged under 25 each year. It also supports disadvantaged young people through the Youth Guarantee and employer incentives, alongside Local Skills Improvement Plans which align training with local needs.