Oral Answers to Questions

David Burton-Sampson Excerpts

Monday 1st September 2025 Commons Chamber

[Mr Bayo Alaba (Southend East and Rochford) (Lab)]

16. What steps she is taking to support young people into employment, education or training in Southend East and Rochford constituency.

[David Burton-Sampson (Southend West and Leigh) (Lab)]

20. What steps she is taking to support young people into employment, education or training in Southend West and Leigh constituency.

[The Minister for Employment (Alison McGovern)]

With permission, I will answer these questions together, as they are both about the great city of Southend.

Colleagues in Southend jobcentre are working very hard with Southend young people to help them gain skills, experience and confidence. The team have launched a bespoke employability workshop designed for young people, and recently delivered a regional work experience pilot for college students. They also work with our great partners, such as the King’s Trust and FirstPoint Training, to provide placements and opportunities, and there is also the employer-led Movement to Work programme.

[Alison McGovern]

The Secretary of State mentioned some moments ago that in everything we do in the Department for Work and Pensions, we are trying to close the gap between those who have suffered disadvantage and those who have not. Young people, especially those who have experienced poverty, are vulnerable to mental ill health, and the pandemic generation deserve more support to get chances that they have missed. That is why we have a joint work and health unit with the Department of Health and Social Care. We also have many agreements across Whitehall relating to our net zero mission, as well as our investment in defence, to help employers recruit the next generation, whatever their background.

[David Burton-Sampson]

In Southend West and Leigh, I will soon host a youth day, featuring local star of “The Apprentice” Chisola Chitambala, who is now an apprenticeship coach, among other things. Does the Minister agree that early interventions, like this youth day, are really important to prevent young people from becoming another NEET statistic?

[Alison McGovern]

I agree with my hon. Friend, and congratulate him on his youth day and the work he is doing on this kind of early intervention. The data clearly show that if people get qualifications, some work experience, and support for their health and support with other factors in life, that is very protective against being without work, education or training. We have to give a second chance to those who need one, and take steps to prevent people from being in that situation in the first place.

Oral Answers to Questions

David Burton-Sampson Excerpts

Monday 11th November 2024 Commons Chamber

[Emma Reynolds]

I would suggest a number of things: the warm home discount scheme is available for those on low incomes, including pensions; we have extended the household support fund that local authorities can and should use to help people on low incomes; and in the longer term, the warm homes plan will help to make homes across the country more energy efficient and cheaper to heat. I will also say that thanks to the Government’s commitment to the triple lock, pensioners will be about £1,900 better off over this Parliament.

[David Burton-Sampson (Southend West and Leigh) (Lab)]

T9. I agree with the Minister that it is vital for everyone who is eligible for support to claim for it, but what steps is she taking to ensure that claiming for pension credit is as simple as possible?

[Emma Reynolds]

As I said in answer to a previous question, we are looking at the form. Some 90% of applicants now apply online, but we note that the paper form is long and we are considering how we can simplify it.