Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Youth Guarantee 2026-06-29

Monday 29 June 2026 · 4 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 4 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Andrew Pakes raised concerns about young people in Peterborough starting their adult lives on benefits and launched a partnership called BRDG with Peterborough College to create more opportunities.
  • Andrew Pakes inquired about the Department's support for frontline innovation and partnerships like the 3% club aimed at reducing the NEET level in Cambridgeshire.
  • Rishi Sunak highlighted local businesses in his constituency providing opportunities through apprenticeships and asked the Minister to congratulate these businesses on their efforts.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Pakes Labour (Co-op) Peterborough
Education Employment Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP highlights the importance of the youth guarantee in Peterborough, where many young people start their adult life on benefits without necessary skills. He mentions a new partnership between Peterborough College and local businesses to create opportunities for young people.

Question

I am concerned about the role of the youth guarantee in my constituency where many young people have been starting their adult life on benefits without the necessary skills. Just this month, we launched a new partnership called BRDG with Peterborough College to create more opportunities for young people. Will the Minister explain how the Department can support frontline innovation and partnerships like that one? Would a Minister be willing to meet me with Inspire2Ignite to listen to the voices of young people as we work to reduce NEET levels?

Answer from Pat McFadden

I thank my hon. Friend for his commitment to expanding opportunity for young people in Peterborough and to reducing the NEET youth rate. My Department is working with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough strategic authority on the youth guarantee trailblazer, and I will ensure that a Minister meets him with Inspire2Ignite to discuss these issues further.

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Q2 Andrew Pakes Labour (Co-op) Peterborough
Education Employment
Context

The MP continues to highlight the importance of the youth guarantee in Peterborough, focusing on local businesses and partnerships that can help reduce NEET levels.

Question

In Peterborough, we are working with Inspire2Ignite, a civic sector charity, to launch the 3% club aimed at cutting the NEET level in Cambridgeshire. Will my right hon. Friend explain how the Department can support frontline innovation and partnerships like that one? Will a Minister meet me with Inspire2Ignite to listen to the voices of young people as we turn this situation around?

Answer from Pat McFadden

I thank my hon. Friend for his commitment to expanding opportunity for young people in Peterborough and to reducing the NEET youth rate. My Department is working on supporting local initiatives like the 3% club, and I will ensure that a Minister meets him with Inspire2Ignite to discuss these issues further.

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Q3 Rishi Sunak Con Richmond and Northallerton
Business & Trade
Context

The MP highlights local businesses that provide apprenticeships for young people. He suggests simplifying the application process for government schemes to improve uptake among small businesses.

Question

My local businesses such as Labman, Barkers and Sam Turner & Sons, and Metcalfe Farms are excellent at providing opportunity through apprenticeships. The Government has introduced a hiring incentive for small businesses to take on young people. Will the Minister congratulate these businesses? Can the Government learn from the kickstart scheme's application process to ensure that small businesses are aware of such initiatives?

Answer from Pat McFadden

I thank the right hon. Gentleman and send him commiserations for his crutches today. I am happy to congratulate the businesses in his constituency. It is important that this scheme is simple to apply for, and the money will be given in two instalments to ensure hiring is sustained.

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Q4 Rebecca Smith Con South West Devon
Economy Employment
Context

The MP criticises the Labour government's approach to reducing NEET levels, suggesting that their policies have created a problem for businesses and young people.

Question

Labour Ministers are patting themselves on the back for their youth guarantee but it is a sticking plaster solution. Rather than U-turning on business costs, higher national insurance, wages and rates, the Government would rather subsidise jobs for young people who businesses can no longer afford to employ. Will the Secretary of State concede that no amount of work programmes can undo this damage?

Answer from Pat McFadden

In his review, Alan Milburn said that the UK's NEET crisis is long-term. Our policies are designed to help business take on more young people. We introduce hiring incentives of £3,000 for businesses taking on a young unemployed person who has been out of work for six months or more.

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