Oral Answers to Questions

Robbie Moore Excerpts

Monday 13th December 2021 Commons Chamber

[Mr Speaker]

I think you need to go to Specsavers, Minister.

[Robbie Moore (Keighley) (Con)]

17. What support her Department is providing to young jobseekers.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mims Davies)]

We are investing in tailored work coach support for young people claiming universal credit and searching for work through our enhanced DWP youth offer. As of 5 December, as announced, 112,000 young people have started a kickstart job. Until March next year, young people can start that key six-month placement, which will support even more young people at risk of long-term unemployment.

[Robbie Moore]

Whether through the apprenticeship programme run by fantastic businesses such as Byworth Boilers in Keighley or training programmes run by Keighley College, my constituency has no shortage of people who are passionate about getting young people into the workplace. What further work is my hon. Friend’s Department doing to ensure that businesses, colleges and others can work together to create the best opportunities for our young people to get into work?

[Mims Davies]

The opportunity to speak about youth hubs is too tempting. We have 150 new youth hubs across the DWP, crucially bringing together local partners from employment, training and skills to support young people. The Keighley youth hub, based in Keighley College, is a prime example, working in close collaboration with SkillsHouse, One Workforce and the community-led local development programmes. I hope that sells the youth hubs to you, Mr Speaker.