Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps his Department is taking to reduce youth unemployment in (a) Jarrow constituency, (b) South Tyneside and (c) the North East.

For the quarter October to December 2017, youth unemployment in the North East was 29,000 – down by over 15,000 since the 2010 General Election (quarter: February-April 2010).

In April 2017, a new programme of intensive support was introduced for 18-21 year olds making a new claim to Universal Credit full service. We are introducing this programme in line with the roll-out schedule for Universal Credit, which is being introduced in a planned, gradual and safe way.

A number of sites in the North-East are already full service sites, and are able to provide claimants with intensive support through this new programme. Remaining sites in the North-East will continue to be rolled out in line with the revised schedule for Universal Credit Full Service, including Jarrow, which is expected to deliver our new programme from May 2018.

Considerable additional support is also available to young people who are claiming Jobseeker’s Allowance. This includes (but is not limited to): basic skills training, work-related training, and 2-8 weeks work experience opportunities.

For pupils aged 12 to 18 in England, the Jobcentre Plus Support for Schools programme assists schools in delivering their statutory duty to provide high quality, independent and impartial careers advice. It also helps pupils make a smooth and effective transition from school to work, training or further study.