Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to youth participation and youth inactivity when developing proposals for English devolution; and what role they envisage strategic authorities playing in reducing the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training.

We recognise the value Strategic Authorities can offer in the leadership, co-ordination and provision of services in their areas to support young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), or who are at risk of becoming NEET.

The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education work closely with Strategic Authorities to deliver activity to reduce the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training. For example, eight Mayoral Strategic Authority are delivering Youth Trailblazers to test localised approaches to reduce the number of young people who are or are at risk of becoming NEET.

The role of Strategic Authorities in youth participation and youth inactivity long-term will be informed by learning from localised approaches, wider delivery evidence and the recommendations from the independent report into Young People and Work led by Alan Milburn.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government will continue to work closely with central and local government to improve the lives of young people across the UK, supported by stronger data sharing and clearer local accountability.