Milburn Review: Interim Report

Debate between Calum Miller and Andrew Western

Tuesday 2nd June 2026 Commons Chamber

[Andrew Western]

My hon. Friend raises an important point, which has not been made so far today, about young people who slip through the net because they are perhaps living with their parents or not claiming—as he described, they are “hidden” NEETs. We are looking across the piece, and particularly talking with the Department for Education about interventions we can bring forward, and I will update him as soon as I can.

[Calum Miller (Bicester and Woodstock) (LD)]

Every week I meet young people with energy and ambition whose hopes are at risk of being crushed by a lack of opportunity. I also recently met Stuart Forbes, who set up Fairford Heating 42 years ago in my constituency. Stuart told me that this year, for the first time, they will not be taking on an apprentice due to the cost overheads of employment. What are the Government doing to make it easier and cheaper for local family businesses to take on apprentices?

[Andrew Western]

As I have said many times, we are introducing a new financial incentive to support SMEs to hire young people under the age of 25 as apprentices, providing that the earnings are below £50,000.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Calum Miller and Andrew Western

Monday 9th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Calum Miller (Bicester and Woodstock) (LD)]

T6. I recently met a constituent who is a victim of domestic abuse and, like too many others, has been let down by the Child Maintenance Service. She is experiencing severe financial pressure as her ex-partner refuses to make maintenance payments. She complained to the CMS 11 months ago and has not yet received a response. To make matters worse, the CMS has refused to communicate with her and has failed to provide her with documentation that is essential to an ongoing tribunal. Will the Minister meet me and my constituent to understand what has gone wrong in this case?

[Andrew Western]

Definitely—and soon.