Work and Pensions Committee
Select Committee Announcement
21 June 2012
For Immediate Release:
AN06 2012–13
ORAL EVIDENCE
Youth unemployment: Committee to hear from local authorities and government agencies on delivery of the Youth Contract
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With youth unemployment figures standing at more than 1 million – nearly 22% of the economically active population aged between 16 and 24 – the Work and Pensions Committee is conducting an inquiry into Youth Unemployment and the Youth Contract.
The Youth Contract is a package of new and existing Government measures, across several Departments and agencies, designed to tackle youth unemployment and to increase engagement in post-16 education and job training. Measures include wage incentives to employers, more JCP work experience placements, extra apprenticeships for young people and a new initiative to support 16–17 year olds with no qualifications. The Government has committed an additional £1 billion to these and other measures over the next three years.
Next week the Committee will hear evidence from government agencies involved in delivery of Youth Contract measures and from the Local Government Association. Details of the evidence session are as follows:
09.30, Wednesday 27 June 2012
Grimond Room, Portcullis House
Witnesses:
Peter Mucklow, National Director for Young People, Education Funding Agency
Councillor Shona Johnstone, Vice-Chair, Economy and Transport Programme Board, Local Government Association
Michele Roberts, Head of Apprenticeships (16–24 year olds), National Apprenticeships Service
Judi Baxter, Director of Provider Performance, Skills Funding Agency
–ENDS–
Notes to Editors
The Committee’s inquiry into Youth Unemployment and the Youth Contract was announced in February.
This is the third evidence session in a series which will consider the Government’s approach. So far, the Committee has heard evidence from expert witnesses on 23 May and employers’ organisations and the TUC on 13 June. Transcripts of the previous sessions are available on the Committee’s webpages.
Two further evidence sessions, on 4 and 16 July, will hear evidence from employment and skills service providers and the DWP Minister and officials.
There are over 1 million unemployed young people aged 16–24 years, including full time students. This is nearly 22% of the economically active 16–24 year old population. There are also around 1 million 16–24 year olds not in employment, education or training (NEETs).
Committee membership:
Dame Anne Begg MP (Chair) (Lab, Aberdeen South), Mrs Debbie Abrahams MP (Oldham East and Saddleworth), Harriett Baldwin MP (Con, West Worcestershire), Andrew Bingham MP (Con, High Peak), Karen Bradley MP (Con, Staffordshire Moorlands), Sheila Gilmore (Lab, Edinburgh East), Oliver Heald MP (Con, North East Hertfordshire), Glenda Jackson MP (Lab, Hampstead and Highgate), Brandon Lewis MP, (Con, Great Yarmouth), Stephen Lloyd MP (Lib Dem, Eastbourne), Teresa Pearce MP (Lab, Erith and Thamesmead)
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