Contributions
1,153 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDWork and PensionsI think that the statement offers hope to young people throughout the United Kingdom. I look forward to a positive and close working relationship between the UK and Welsh…25 Mar 2026HANSARDWork and PensionsI agree that “NEET” is not the best and most user-friendly term, but it has been used for some time. As for the hon. Lady’s question about what is devolved and what is UK-wide,…25 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentI welcome the hon. Lady’s—somewhat limited—support for the announcement, but she is right that we need to support young people in the workplace. There is perhaps a touch of…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentOn the final question, I agree with my hon. Friend that this problem of young people not in education, employment or training is a long-term one that grew under the tutelage of…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentI thank my hon. Friend and parliamentary neighbour for her question. I know Asda in Great Bridge. What a wonderful employment rate that is, after the programme. It gives hope to…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentAs the right hon. Member knows, I have great respect for him. I am happy to reach out to upReach to speak about the work to which he refers. As I said a moment ago in response to…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentI welcome the hon. Lady’s welcome of the youth guarantee. Perhaps she might have a word with her hon. Friend the shadow Minister, who did not welcome it. She asks about national…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentI do not need any convincing about how great a city Glasgow is, and I will be going there very soon. My hon. Friend asks what this announcement will mean to young people in his…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentWe do not propose restricting the hiring bonus by sector, though my hon. Friend will have heard me list in my statement the areas covered by the new apprenticeship units—areas…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentTom Kerridge has achieved a great amount and done fantastic things. I was very pleased to meet him and talk to him about this package a few days ago, and I welcome his warm…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentWe heard the Conservatives defend the 40% figure on the drop in youth apprenticeship starts—that is on the record. If they want to defend and own that record, so be it, but we…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentMy hon. Friend and I had a great day in Bellshill just before Christmas; I am grateful to him for the visit, and to the staff at the local jobcentre for explaining to us both the…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentI am not sure whether the hon. Gentleman’s description of this statement will do me good or harm among my right hon. and hon. Friends, but once again he makes the mistake of…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentLet me return the greeting of a happy St Patrick’s day to my hon. Friend. My hon. Friend makes an absolutely vital point about information. When I talk to young people, they tell…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentMy hon. Friend is right that we have tried to put extra incentives in this package for small and medium-sized businesses. In particular, there is the hiring bonus for young…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentObviously, I know the west midlands well and I know the passion that our Mayor, Richard Parker, has for expanding opportunity, offering more skills and more opportunities to young…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentOnce again, the Liberal Democrats speak against the prioritisation of youth. We are for training throughout the system and throughout the age range, but we have to make a decision…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentI welcome my hon. Friend’s question and her praise for the great city of Newcastle, which I am sure we would all echo. On small and medium-sized businesses, she is right that we…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentI would like to make a statement on our new package of support to tackle the long-term problem of youth unemployment. Let me begin by wishing you, Madam Deputy Speaker, and the…17 Mar 2026HANSARDYouth UnemploymentI thank my hon. Friend for his question—I know that he takes a deep interest in this issue. There is an urgent need to help young people with the technological change that is…17 Mar 2026