Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many youth employment hubs there were in January 2022; and how many and what proportion of those hubs have not been told they are closing and remain open as of 8 November 2022.

We understand the significance local knowledge can play in providing tailored support. Our DWP Youth Hubs provide a range of services adapted to local needs and are a starting place for young people.

Partnership working is central to the DWP Youth Offer. Through our partnership network we are engaging with a broad spectrum of providers including colleges, charities, and local authorities to develop place-based responses that support youth employment, including where appropriate, through Youth Hubs.

Our locally formed and locally led Hubs bring together partner organisations and offer skills, training, and employment provisions. We empower our DWP Work Coaches within each Hub to maintain a youth friendly environment and support our young Universal Credit claimants looking to move in to work.

As part of the DWP Youth Offer we provide intensive support during the first 13 weeks of a claim to help young people access the right opportunities for them and Youth Employability Coaches (YECs) who are helping young people overcome complex barriers to employment, as well as offering 6 weeks of in-work support once they move into work. YECs work closely alongside Disability Employment Advisors to support those with disabilities and health conditions, and partner organisations who can provide specialist advice.

There were over 160 locally lead Youth Hubs open in January 2022. As of 8 November 2022, there are over 150 open Youth Hubs. Youth Hubs and their services are based in external partner owned premises. Local DWP teams and external partners delivering Youth Hubs jointly discuss the ongoing need for hubs in particular areas and take account of a range of factors, notably the number of young Universal Credit claimants searching for employment in that local area.