Baroness Stedman-Scott

The Government is determined that every young person should have the support, opportunities and safe spaces they need to build a positive future. As part of a wider package of support for young people, the Government will provide funding to train and support 1,000 new specialised youth workers. They will work in community spaces, reaching out to young people directly, providing support for those at highest-risk before they reach crisis point. This is the first step in rebuilding the youth workforce and will make significant progress towards meeting the Government’s ambition for 500,000 more young people to have access to a trusted adult by 2035.

We are working on funding and delivery plans and will engage young people and the youth services sector to ensure that this investment has the maximum possible impact. These plans will detail where new youth workers will work, who will employ them and how many young people they will support. I will update the House on these and our cost and funding plans in due course.

The Government is determined that every young person should have the support, opportunities and safe spaces they need to build a positive future. As part of a wider package of support for young people, the Government will provide funding to train and support 1,000 new specialised youth workers. They will work in community spaces, reaching out to young people directly, providing support for those at highest-risk before they reach crisis point. This is the first step in rebuilding the youth workforce and will make significant progress towards meeting the Government’s ambition for 500,000 more young people to have access to a trusted adult by 2035.

We are working on funding and delivery plans and will engage young people and the youth services sector to ensure that this investment has the maximum possible impact. These plans will detail where new youth workers will work, who will employ them and how many young people they will support. I will update the House on these and our cost and funding plans in due course.

The Government is determined that every young person should have the support, opportunities and safe spaces they need to build a positive future. As part of a wider package of support for young people, the Government will provide funding to train and support 1,000 new specialised youth workers. They will work in community spaces, reaching out to young people directly, providing support for those at highest-risk before they reach crisis point. This is the first step in rebuilding the youth workforce and will make significant progress towards meeting the Government’s ambition for 500,000 more young people to have access to a trusted adult by 2035.

We are working on funding and delivery plans and will engage young people and the youth services sector to ensure that this investment has the maximum possible impact. These plans will detail where new youth workers will work, who will employ them and how many young people they will support. I will update the House on these and our cost and funding plans in due course.

The Government is determined that every young person should have the support, opportunities and safe spaces they need to build a positive future. As part of a wider package of support for young people, the Government will provide funding to train and support 1,000 new specialised youth workers. They will work in community spaces, reaching out to young people directly, providing support for those at highest-risk before they reach crisis point. This is the first step in rebuilding the youth workforce and will make significant progress towards meeting the Government’s ambition for 500,000 more young people to have access to a trusted adult by 2035.

We are working on funding and delivery plans and will engage young people and the youth services sector to ensure that this investment has the maximum possible impact. These plans will detail where new youth workers will work, who will employ them and how many young people they will support. I will update the House on these and our cost and funding plans in due course.

The Government is determined that every young person should have the support, opportunities and safe spaces they need to build a positive future. As part of a wider package of support for young people, the Government will provide funding to train and support 1,000 new specialised youth workers. They will work in community spaces, reaching out to young people directly, providing support for those at highest-risk before they reach crisis point. This is the first step in rebuilding the youth workforce and will make significant progress towards meeting the Government’s ambition for 500,000 more young people to have access to a trusted adult by 2035.

We are working on funding and delivery plans and will engage young people and the youth services sector to ensure that this investment has the maximum possible impact. These plans will detail where new youth workers will work, who will employ them and how many young people they will support. I will update the House on these and our cost and funding plans in due course.

The Cabinet Office awarded Capita the contract to administer the Civil Service Pension Scheme in November 2023 under the previous government. The current delays facing scheme members are entirely unacceptable, and this Government has taken firm action to resolve them through a clear recovery plan with strict delivery milestones. We have deployed additional resources to expedite priority cases, ensuring that serving and former staff receive the high standard of service they deserve. Regular progress updates remain available to members via the pension portal and Gov.uk.

We recognise the significant impact these delays have on deferred members’ ability to plan their financial future. Capita is under a firm mandate to restore full service delivery to standard contractual levels by the end of June 2026. We are actively exploring the use of all available commercial and contractual levers and continue to withhold milestone payments for missed transition deliverables. All options remain on the table if they fail to meet the June deadline.

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

Please see the letter attached from the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority.

Professor Sir Ian Diamond | National Statistician

The Baroness Stedman-Scott OBE

House of Lords

London

SW1A 0PW

2 May 2025

Dear Lady Stedman-Scott,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Questions asking how many men aged 16 to 24 years old were employed in the construction sector in April (HL6964), and how many men aged 16 to 24 years old were employed in the manufacturing sector in April (HL6965).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects information on the labour market status of individuals through the Labour Force Survey (LFS), which is a survey of people resident in households in the UK. The responses allow us to estimate how many people are in employment, as well as information on their age and sex. In addition, working respondents report the industry they believe best reflects their workplace. These responses are classified using the Standard Industrial Classification 2007 (SIC07).

Unfortunately, estimates for April 2025 will not be available until 10 June 2025. In the period December 2024 to February 2025, the latest LFS data available, the number of men aged 16 to 24 years who were working in the construction sector was 196,000, while the number of men aged 16 to 24 years who were working in the manufacturing sector was 155,000.

The ongoing challenges with response rates, response levels and weighting approach mean that labour market statistics based on the Labour Force Survey (LFS) are subject to increased volatility and are considered ’official statistics in development’ until further review.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

Please see the letter attached from the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority.

Professor Sir Ian Diamond | National Statistician

The Baroness Stedman-Scott OBE

House of Lords

London

SW1A 0PW

2 May 2025

Dear Lady Stedman-Scott,

As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Questions asking how many men aged 16 to 24 years old were employed in the construction sector in April (HL6964), and how many men aged 16 to 24 years old were employed in the manufacturing sector in April (HL6965).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects information on the labour market status of individuals through the Labour Force Survey (LFS), which is a survey of people resident in households in the UK. The responses allow us to estimate how many people are in employment, as well as information on their age and sex. In addition, working respondents report the industry they believe best reflects their workplace. These responses are classified using the Standard Industrial Classification 2007 (SIC07).

Unfortunately, estimates for April 2025 will not be available until 10 June 2025. In the period December 2024 to February 2025, the latest LFS data available, the number of men aged 16 to 24 years who were working in the construction sector was 196,000, while the number of men aged 16 to 24 years who were working in the manufacturing sector was 155,000.

The ongoing challenges with response rates, response levels and weighting approach mean that labour market statistics based on the Labour Force Survey (LFS) are subject to increased volatility and are considered ’official statistics in development’ until further review.

Yours sincerely,

Professor Sir Ian Diamond

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

Please see the letter attached from the acting National Statistician of the UK Statistics Authority.

Emma Rourke | Acting National Statistician

The Baroness Stedman-Scott OBE

House of Lords

London

SW1A 0PW

12 May 2025

Dear Lady Stedman-Scott,

As Acting National Statistician, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking how many men aged 16 to 24 years old were employed in the agriculture sector in April (HL6966).

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) collects information on the labour market status of individuals through the Labour Force Survey (LFS), which is a survey of people resident in households in the UK. The responses allow us to estimate how many people are in employment, as well as information on their age and sex. In addition, working respondents report the industry they believe best reflects their workplace. These responses are classified using the Standard Industrial Classification 2007 (SIC07).

Unfortunately, estimates for April 2025 will not be available until 10 June 2025. In the period December 2024 to February 2025, the latest LFS data available, the number of men aged 16 to 24 years who were working in the agriculture, forestry and fishing industry sector was 15,000. Please note that this estimate is based on a small sample size. This may result in less precise estimates, which should be used with caution.

The ongoing challenges with response rates, response levels and weighting approach mean that labour market statistics based on the Labour Force Survey (LFS) are subject to increased volatility and are considered ’official statistics in development’ until further review.

Yours sincerely,

Emma Rourke

Decisions on recruitment are delegated to departments. They are responsible for ensuring their policies are compliant with the Civil Service Commission’s Recruitment Principles and any other relevant legislation such as, in this instance, the Equality Act 2010.

Ministers and officials have engaged extensively with business, trade unions and representative organisations on the zero hours measures in the Employment Rights Act 2025, including about the length of the reference period. We continue to meet regularly with business representative organisations and trade unions.

The right to guaranteed hours will rebalance labour market flexibility so it works for both workers and employers.

The government is consulting on these measures, including key details such as the reference period, hours threshold, regularity requirements and exemptions. The consultation launched on 2 June 2026 and closes at 11:59pm on 25 August 2026. Consultation responses will be considered before finalising regulations and implementation.

The Government published a comprehensive package of analysis on the impact of the Employment Rights Act. This analysis shows that the effects on labour demand and labour market flexibility are expected to be limited.

The government is introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties worth nearly £900 million per year, benefiting over 750,000 properties. We are also implementing a £4.3 billion support package over three years to protect businesses from bill increases following the 2026 revaluation.

The Employment Allowance has more than doubled to £10,500, ensuring that over half of businesses with National Insurance liabilities will either gain or see no change this financial year. We also launched a Small Business Plan aimed at removing barriers holding back businesses and breathing new life into high streets.

Government works closely with the Retail Sector Council and industry bodies to help inform support for bricks and mortar businesses and ensuring a level playing field with online only retailers, including targeted reliefs and measures.

The government is introducing new permanently lower tax rates for eligible retail, hospitality and leisure properties worth nearly £900 million per year, benefiting over 750,000 properties. To protect businesses from bill increases following the 2026 revaluation, a £4.3 billion support package is being implemented over three years.

Additionally, the retail sector will benefit from a rebalanced business rates system, with large distribution warehouses paying around £100 million more in 2026/27, with this funding directly lowering bills for in-person retail. The government has also launched a Small Business Plan aimed at removing barriers holding back businesses and breathing new life into high streets.

The Department recognises the pressures facing high streets and the implications for employment in the retail sector. Our Plan for Small and Medium Sized Businesses places high streets at the centre of economic renewal, supporting SMEs through improved finance access, reduced regulatory burdens and enhanced business support through the Business Growth Service.

The Government has not undertaken any modelling to evaluate the relationship between retail job losses and recent adjustments to employer National Insurance contributions or increases in the National Living Wage.

The original date for final reporting was the end of August 2024. However, the review is ongoing to ensure that all stakeholders have been properly engaged, and to ensure the complex topics within the report are appropriately considered.

Upon final receipt of the full report, the government will consider next steps, including publication.

The government is taking forward a range of measures to prevent young people from becoming not in education employment or training (NEET), including improving identification, tracking and data sharing.

The department’s Risk of NEET Indicator tool brings together a range of indicators associated with an increased risk of becoming NEET. These include special educational needs and disabilities, attendance in alternative provision, mental health needs, care experience, Children in Need status, youth offending, caring responsibilities, parenthood or pregnancy, refugee / asylum-seeker status, substance misuse, exclusion from school or poor attendance, and eligibility for free school meals.

The tool is intended to support local authorities and their partners in the early identification of young people who may require additional support to participate and remain engaged in education, employment or training.

The government is investing an additional £2.5 billion over the next three years into the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy, supporting almost one million young people and creating up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.

For young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET), or at risk, the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper set a clear ambition for improving identification, tracking and data sharing, so that prevention or reengagement support can be targeted at those who need it most.

The department has made a new risk of NEET indicator (RONI) tool available to local areas to identify risk earlier and more consistently, and is investing in support for monitoring attendance in further education to enable earlier intervention.

We are also improving data quality and sharing across education transitions, providing clearer guidance on the use of RONI tools, and exploring the safe and ethical use of artificial intelligence to support professional judgement.

Reducing the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) is a shared priority for government and local authorities, preventing the impacts of disengagement on individuals, the economy and society.

Local authorities support this by maintaining effective systems to identify and support NEET young people. There is already strong practice across the sector, often in the face of significant challenges. The department has written to all local authorities and contacted those where the proportion of young people whose activity is not known is in the highest quintile to provide support and challenge, understand local circumstances, and agree actions.

To support local authorities, we have introduced a new risk of NEET indicator tool and guidance. The department is continuing to refine it with local authorities and monitoring its impact on earlier identification of young people at risk of becoming NEET.

Reducing the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) is a shared priority for government and local authorities, preventing the impacts of disengagement on individuals, the economy and society.

Local authorities support this by maintaining effective systems to identify and support NEET young people. There is already strong practice across the sector, often in the face of significant challenges. The department has written to all local authorities and contacted those where the proportion of young people whose activity is not known is in the highest quintile to provide support and challenge, understand local circumstances, and agree actions.

To support local authorities, we have introduced a new risk of NEET indicator tool and guidance. The department is continuing to refine it with local authorities and monitoring its impact on earlier identification of young people at risk of becoming NEET.

Reducing the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) is a shared priority for government and local authorities, preventing the impacts of disengagement on individuals, the economy and society.

Local authorities support this by maintaining effective systems to identify and support NEET young people. There is already strong practice across the sector, often in the face of significant challenges. The department has written to all local authorities and contacted those where the proportion of young people whose activity is not known is in the highest quintile to provide support and challenge, understand local circumstances, and agree actions.

To support local authorities, we have introduced a new risk of NEET indicator tool and guidance. The department is continuing to refine it with local authorities and monitoring its impact on earlier identification of young people at risk of becoming NEET.

Universal Credit for self-employed individuals aims to encourage sustainable work choices and support self-employment where it is a realistic route to financial self-sufficiency.

If a self-employed Universal Credit customer reports a loss to the Department, the value of the loss is offset against future earnings so it will be considered in the calculation of the Universal Credit award. Losses can also be carried forward and will be offset against earnings until the loss is used up or until the customer ceases self-employment.

The Minimum Income Floor (MIF) is designed to encourage low-earning customers to increase their earnings and grow their business. The level of the Minimum Income Floor is equivalent to what a person in employed work in similar circumstances to the self-employed individual could expect to earn at the National Minimum Wage for their age. The MIF can be tailored specifically for customers’ individual circumstances, including for health conditions and caring responsibilities. It is set using the number of hours the customer can reasonably be expected to work which is a maximum of 35 hours for individuals with no limitations on their expected working hours.

The Department’s review of Universal Credit is currently considering how effectively the benefit supports self-employed people.

Ensuring current and future pensioners have adequate retirement income is a key priority for this Government and a focus of the Pensions Commission. Our system of the State Pension and workplace pensions provides the basis for security in retirement.

The State Pension is based on an individual's National Insurance record. People who leave the labour market before reaching State Pension age may be able to build qualifying years through National Insurance credits, for example where they receive certain benefits or have caring responsibilities. Where an individual does not pay National Insurance contributions or receive credits, they may, if eligible, be able to make voluntary contributions.

Automatic enrolment has succeeded in transforming workplace retirement saving with over 24 million employees participating in 2025, up from 11.6 million in 2012. However, the Government recognises that millions are still not saving enough for their retirement, which is exactly why last year we revived the Pensions Commission.

The Commission is exploring how to improve retirement outcomes, especially for those at the greatest risk of undersaving. Following the Pensions Commission’s final report, due in February 2027, the Government will set out its strategy to deliver a strong, fair and sustainable pensions system that will support future generations of savers and pensioners.

The Department is taking a range of steps to promote the availability of careers advice and raise awareness of the new DWP Careers Service in England.

A communications toolkit and information pack have been shared with Local Authorities, support organisations, providers and third sector partners to help them promote and signpost the service through their own channels. The Department is also using established communication channels, including Touchbase and the Careers Strategic Newsletter.

National and local stakeholder engagement will draw on existing partnership networks and include local government and skills partners, organisations representing key customer groups, employers, careers providers and delivery partners.

Our GOV.UK pages have been updated. From the ‘Get careers information and advice’ page the public can access a 24/7 digital careers offer, on-line tools and the 0800 number to make an appointment.

This activity is supported by the Department’s social media channels, which promotes employment and careers support from work coaches, careers advisers and employer partners/influencers. Social media content is tailored to relevant audiences to increase awareness of DWP’s support for anyone who is looking for work, who wants to get on in work, or who wants to change their career or retrain.

The Department for Work and Pensions values the wealth of skills and experience that people aged 50 and over bring to the workplace and the economy. We are committed to supporting people aged 50 and over to find work through a wide-ranging strategy that promotes inclusion, flexibility and progression.

We provide additional dedicated support for customers aged 50 and over in jobcentres, including through our 50PLUS Champions, who ensure that the specific needs of this age group are recognised and met. This includes facilitating engagement with local employers, promoting age inclusive policies, and supporting work coaches to deliver activity locally. We also offer the Midlife MOT, which helps individuals assess their health, skills and finances, and directs them to appropriate guidance to support their return to work. In addition, our Employer and Partnership Teams work closely with local employers and partners to expand the opportunities, training and employment support available to customers aged 50 and over.

As part of our plans to Get Britain Working, we are creating a new Jobs and Careers Service, with an enhanced focus on skills and careers. Support will be more inclusive and tailored to individual needs, including those aged 50 and over, to help them find secure, meaningful work, develop skills and progress in work.

This government is creating a new Jobs and Careers Service: a modern, integrated, digitally enabled employment service that has already brought together Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service in England and is working hand in hand with employers and local partners.

Our vision for the new service is that customers will have a clear understanding of our expectations and ambitions for them, with access to tailored employment, skills and careers support to find and progress in work. Employers and local places will receive more joined-up support and better matching of customers to opportunities that meet local labour market needs and growth priorities, and our workforce will provide consistently high-quality support focused on getting people into work rather than just following processes.

Careers support has always been available to adults in England and will continue through the DWP Careers Service in England, which is available to everyone regardless of whether they claim benefits. Support can be accessed online, by telephone, or through face-to-face appointments. Qualified careers advisers will focus on providing in-depth guidance to customers who face greater barriers to working or learning. DWP will monitor usage of online tools and resources, volume of calls to the careers telephone line and number of appointments conducted to assess demand for the service and to ensure that demand is met, as appropriate to customer need and circumstance.