Improving Outcomes for Young People 2026-01-15
2026-01-15
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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Context
The Secretary of State published the ground-breaking youth strategy, Youth Matters. Chris Vince is concerned about empowering young people in Harlow to participate.
I thank the Secretary of State for her work on this really important youth strategy. How can young people in my constituency of Harlow be empowered to take part in the youth strategy? She will be aware that I am the chair of the all-party parliamentary group for young carers and young adult carers. Specifically, how has she worked to engage hard-to-reach groups, such as young carers, to be part of the strategy?
From the outset, we were absolutely determined that the strategy would reflect all young people. It was a delight to do a workshop with young carers as part of the development of the youth strategy to ensure that their needs and concerns were met. We are ensuring we only fund organisations that put young people in the driving seat of decisions about how money is spent.
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Assessment & feedback
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The unemployment rate for young people aged 18 to 24 increased by 85,000 in the three months to October last year. Joe Robertson questions how this aligns with government policy.
The best thing the Government can do to support young people is to ensure they have jobs, but in the three months to October last year, unemployment for 18 to 24-year-olds rose by 85,000. What does the Secretary of State have to say to the Chancellor, who is over-taxing jobs, including for young people?
The hon. Gentleman is right that there are supply and demand issues facing young people seeking employment. The Chancellor is focused on creating good jobs in every part of the country. My right hon. Friend Pat McFadden recently announced a programme to specifically target 18 to 21-year-olds, ensuring they do not get written off at a young age.
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Assessment & feedback
Over-taxing jobs
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
Data suggests around 50,000 children are not getting adequate music education due to cuts in music PGCE bursaries. Anna Sabine is concerned about the future of music education.
Data suggests around 50,000 children are not getting the music education they deserve and the cuts to music PGCE—postgraduate certificate in education—bursaries will exacerbate the problem. While £25 million of new musical instruments announced by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport will be left to collect dust in storage cupboards, what discussions is the Secretary of State having with the Department for Education to ensure we have the teachers to teach the musicians of the future?
I thank the hon. Lady for her question and assure her that there will be no musical instruments collecting dust in storage cupboards. We announced a broader, richer curriculum alongside the Education Secretary at the end of last year, putting music education once again at the heart of the offer for young people. I will have more to say about the programme soon.
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Assessment & feedback
Musical instruments collecting dust in storage cupboards
Response accuracy