Context
The question relates to the UK government's support for young people through the Youth Guarantee Trailblazer Scheme, in contrast to perceived shortcomings in Scotland under the SNP. The context includes concerns about college funding cuts and energy sector job opportunities.
Question
What recent progress has been made on establishing the youth guarantee trailblazer scheme? Does my right hon. Friend agree that the actions of this Government, in supporting young people, are in stark contrast to the situation in Scotland, where we have had 18 years of SNP neglect, with the college sector suffering a 20% cut over the past five years? Does he also agree that, as the energy sector in Scotland transitions to greener forms of energy production, the jobs and skills needed to bolster that industry could be taught at those colleges, and that we risk having a double whammy of young people not being able to take on these important jobs, while lecturers are paid off and our colleges are in dire financial straits?
Answer from The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Pat McFadden)
My hon. Friend is absolutely right to draw attention to the importance of the energy transition. As I said, the Scottish Government are receiving the largest spending review settlement in real terms since devolution was established. We know that young people in Scotland have the talent, but are their Government backing them by giving them the opportunity? We believe that a proportion of those funds should be devoted to that. I am pleased to say that, for example, BAE Systems will be a major beneficiary of the £10 billion deal to build Type 26 frigates for Norway—a critical investment in European security, and one that I hope the Scottish Government have got around to supporting.
Not addressed: The full extent of youth support compared to college funding cuts and energy sector job opportunities was not fully addressed.
How: Changed Subject
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