Oral Answers to Questions

James Davies Excerpts

Monday 7th September 2015 Commons Chamber

[Mr Alan Mak (Havant) (Con)]

10. What support his Department provides to young people seeking work.

[Dr James Davies (Vale of Clwyd) (Con)]

12. What support his Department provides to young people seeking work.

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

14. What support his Department provides to young people seeking work.

--- Later in debate ---

[Priti Patel]

My hon. Friend is absolutely right. Interestingly, notwithstanding the Government’s well-known track record on apprenticeships and the number of people across the country who have benefited from our apprenticeship scheme, the subject was discussed at the G20 last week, and other countries are now looking at our scheme to see the positive benefits it has had on our young people.

[Dr James Davies]

The Minister might be aware of the Change100 scheme run by Leonard Cheshire Disability, which delivers paid work experience placements for young disabled graduates at major employers. Does she agree that such initiatives have an important role to play in helping to ensure that we reduce the disability employment gap?

[Priti Patel]

I am fully aware of the excellent work that Leonard Cheshire Disability, along with many other organisations, does to help young disabled people take up employment. The Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, my hon. Friend the Member for North Swindon (Justin Tomlinson), has discussed with many organisations, including the Shaw Trust and Whizz-Kidz, how they plan to do more in that area. It is right that we should all do more to support young disabled people to secure employment.