Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the challenges faced by his Department in implementing the youth guarantee trial across the West Midland Combined Authority area.

The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Education continue to work closely with the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) on the design and delivery of their Youth Guarantee Trailblazer. WMCA has actively engaged its seven Local Authorities as part of their Trailblazer design and have worked with central government to finalise their delivery plan and commence implementation.

The Trailblazer is testing place-based solutions to tackle high youth unemployment, economic inactivity, and declining apprenticeship opportunities. Examples of programmes being delivered include work experience placements, pre-apprenticeship training, and NEET prevention.

Delivery is progressing in line with the submitted plans, and WMCA remains a key partner in shaping the Youth Guarantee. Insights from the Trailblazer will inform future national policy and delivery.