Oral Answers to Questions

Emma Foody Excerpts

Monday 17th March 2025 Commons Chamber

[Amanda Martin (Portsmouth North) (Lab)]

2. What steps she is taking to support young people into employment, education or training in the Portsmouth North constituency.

[Emma Foody (Cramlington and Killingworth) (Lab/Co-op)]

5. What steps she is taking to support young people into employment, education or training in the Cramlington and Killingworth constituency.

[Chris Curtis (Milton Keynes North) (Lab)]

11. What steps she is taking to support young people into employment, education or training in Milton Keynes.

--- Later in debate ---

[Liz Kendall]

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. Her constituent deserves to fulfil his potential and live his hopes and dreams, like everybody else. We will be working hard with the Department for Education to identify those young people who are at risk of becoming NEET, to ensure that we put in place the skills training they need to get the jobs of the future and fulfil their potential, as they deserve.

[Emma Foody]

I suspect there might be quite a spike in the number of Geordies not in work today, given the cup final at the weekend.

I recently visited Azure, a charity in my constituency that provides learning and work opportunities, especially for young people with learning disabilities, and heard about the incredible work it does to provide young people with hands-on experience in a hospitality-based learning environment. Will the Secretary of State detail what more the Government can do to support charities such as Azure to provide these vital opportunities?

[Liz Kendall]

I congratulate Azure on its brilliant work. I believe that charities and voluntary organisations have an essential role in getting people on the pathway to work and success. I know from the supported internship programmes that have been run in my constituency, including through my local hospital, that young people with learning difficulties can, with the right support, get those jobs and get that work. That is what this Government want to deliver.