Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the HM Treasury 8 July 2020 policy paper entitled A Plan for Jobs 2020, what plans she has to support people through the expanded Youth Offer programme.

Young people in particular can be at an additional disadvantage due to limited work experience. DWPs new youth offers will include a structured 13-week programme, during which they will be helped in their search for work and referred to the most appropriate support such as careers advice, a sector-based work academy, a traineeship, work experience, mentoring circles or an apprenticeship. Once they have completed this programme participants will be encouraged to take up work-related training or an apprenticeship. Young people who require further support will be referred to young people’s hubs and specialist employability coaches.