Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to support young disabled people into further (a) training and (b) education.

Our plan to Get Britain Working includes a new Youth Guarantee for all young people aged 18-21 in England to ensure that they can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or help to find work. Eight Youth Trailblazers across England are currently piloting this at a local level.

The Government recognises that health conditions and disabilities can present significant barriers to work for many young people. A range of existing programmes already provide targeted support:

• Department for Work and Pensions’ Youth Employability Coaches (YECs) offer intensive, tailored employment support to young people on benefits with complex barriers. This includes continued support for six weeks after securing employment or entering education or training. YECs can help young people access Supported Internships, Sector-Based Work Academy Programmes, apprenticeships or traineeships. They also work closely with Disability Employment Advisers and specialist partner organisations.
• Department for Work and Pensions’ Schools Advisors provide free, fully funded careers support to secondary schools and colleges across England. Their core aim is to help young people—particularly those at risk of becoming NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training), including those with health conditions or disabilities—make informed decisions about their future. Working directly in schools, Advisers offer tailored guidance on post-education options, training pathways, and the skills employers value. Through early, targeted interventions, they play a key role in preventing economic inactivity and supporting successful transitions into further education, employment, or training.
• Young people eligible for Department for Education’s Supported Internship programme are those aged 16 to 24 who are in full or part-time education, have special educational needs and an EHCP plan (or the equivalent in Scotland and Wales). During the work placement element of the internship, Access to Work can provide funding to support the intern’s in-work support needs, helping to ensure a successful and inclusive experience.