Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what analysis his Department has undertaken on factors contributing to the number of people aged 16 to 24 not in education, employment or training; and what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Education to help tackle barriers to employment and training for young people, including (a) mental health, (b) bullying and adverse experiences in school, (c) lack of access to work experience and vocational pathways, (d) social isolation and (e) unstable housing and caring responsibilities.

The interim report of the independent review into young people and work led by Alan Milburn, published on Thursday 28th May, identifies multiple reasons as to why there has been an increase in youth unemployment. This report can be found here: Young people and work: interim report - GOV.UK.

With over one million young people not in education, employment and training, this Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. The Government is investing an additional £2.5 billion over the next three years into the Youth Guarantee and the Growth and Skills Levy. This investment will support almost one million young people, and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn. This includes delivering work experience placements, training opportunities, a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers, and providing long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds with a fully funded six month job.

Support in schools is also a key priority. We have committed to delivering two weeks’ worth of work experience for every young person during secondary education, moving towards a more flexible model of multiple, meaningful encounters that build skills and confidence over time. Mental Health Support Teams are being rolled out across schools and further education colleges to provide earlier intervention and support for young people. All schools are legally required to have a behaviour policy with measures to prevent all forms of bullying.

Furthermore, our Pathways to Work programme (which will be backed by £1 billion a year of funding by the end of the decade) is 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. Through Pathways to Work, young people with health conditions or disabilities have access to tailored support including help into supported employment through Connect to Work.