Business Hiring Intentions

Lord Harper Excerpts

Tuesday 3rd November 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

My Lords, we are determined to tackle youth unemployment and look forward to receiving Alan Milburn’s recommendations. In addition, we have committed a further £2.5 billion to the youth guarantee and growth and skills levy, helping nearly 1 million young people aged 16 to 24 move into jobs, education and training. This will create 200,000 jobs, provide £3,000 for youth jobs grants and £2,000 in apprenticeship hiring payments and guarantee jobs for young people claiming universal credit who have been unemployed long term.

[Lord Harper (Con)]

My Lords, I am surprised that the Minister could not answer my noble friend Lord Leigh’s question, because the Chancellor slapped down the Chief Secretary for her ridiculous comments, and I am glad that he did. The Minister gave a good answer to the question from the noble Lord, Lord Spellar, about how to deal with the 1 million young people out of work. How does he think importing up to 80,000 young people from the European Union under the youth mobility scheme will help British young people get into work?

[Lord Leong (Lab)]

Settlement is based on contribution, not just on time served, as it was under the last Government. We have cut net migration to 82% below its peak under the last Government. We will not leave young British people behind, which is why we are investing an additional £2.5 billion, as I said in my previous answer, to support almost 1 million young people into education, employment and training.