Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 18 March to Question 114995 on Employment: Young People whether young people identified by the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers programme, who do not access benefits, will be able to access a job partly funded by the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers.

For many years our young people have not had the opportunity and support they deserve. Under the last government, between 2021 and 2024, the number of young people not in education, employment or training increased by 250,000.

The eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in England are testing new ways to identify, engage and support young people who are, or are at risk of becoming, NEET. This includes 18–21‑year‑olds who are not claiming benefits, who can, through the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers, access tailored support which connects them to meaningful employment and training opportunities.

By bringing together national entitlements with locally tailored provision and working closely with employers, colleges and the voluntary sector, the Trailblazers are helping more young people develop the skills and confidence they need to enter employment and advance their careers.

The Youth Guarantee is about reaching all NEET young people, including those outside the benefits system. That is why we recently announced a further £1 billion investment in young people, taking the total investment to £2.5 billion over the next three years though the Youth Guarantee and additional investment in the Growth and Skills Levy. This investment will support almost one million young people and create up to 500,000 opportunities to earn and learn.

This includes the delivery of eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers in England, the expansion of Youth Hubs to more than 360 areas across Great Britain, and the introduction of a new Youth Guarantee Gateway in Jobcentres, providing more intensive support to 16-24 year olds. Youth Hubs offer access to employment and skills support, as well as links to housing and mental health services for young people, including in areas where Youth Guarantee Trailblazers operate, but they are not responsible for delivering the Trailblazer programmes. We will also prioritise prevention – improving support in schools, access to work experience and further education places.

This investment will also create around 300,000 more opportunities to gain workplace experience and training. It will also help unlock up to 200,000 more employment opportunities, through a new £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant for employers who hire 18–24-year-olds who have been on Universal Credit for over six months, a new £2,000 apprenticeship incentive for small and medium sized employers hiring 16–24-year-olds and the Jobs Guarantee scheme, providing long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds with a fully funded six month job.

Together these measures demonstrate the Government’s commitment to backing young people, supporting employers, and working with partners across Great Britain to create clear pathways into employment and education for all young people.

There is currently no Youth Hub in the St Albans area. Youth Hubs will be expanded to 360 areas across Great Britain over the next three years. Young people in areas where Youth Hubs open later in the three-year rollout period, will still receive the full breadth of Youth Guarantee support. They will also continue to benefit from tailored help through the local Jobcentre, and, where appropriate, support from nearby Youth Hubs, so no young person is left without support during the phased rollout.