Questions & Answers
Q1
Direct Answer
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The MP notes the ongoing effort to expand youth hubs and asks about recent progress.
What recent progress has been made on expanding youth hubs?
We are making strong progress on expanding youth hubs, with around 130 already in operation across Great Britain. In March, I announced the locations that we want to open this year, and I have just announced a further 180 locations for the following two years.
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Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP acknowledges the announcement of new youth hub locations and asks about the focus on mathematics skills in these facilities.
I thank my right hon. Friend for that brilliant news, and I hope that they will focus on mathematics skills as well—I could do with some of that. Young people were left behind by the previous Conservative Government, with 13.2% in south-east Wales not in employment, education or training.
My hon. Friend is right, and I thank Cardiff football club for being a partner. We are supporting nearly 1 million young people and creating up to half a million opportunities for jobs and training.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific focus on mathematics skills in youth hubs was not addressed
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP highlights the importance of youth hubs in his constituency, referencing a report by Alan Milburn.
As you will be aware, Mr Speaker, my Harlow constituency is full of incredibly talented young people, some of whom I had the pleasure to meet at a recent Harlow college awards ceremony. Alan Milburn's report makes it clear that young people are being let down by a broken system and deep-seated barriers, rather than by their own ambition.
My hon. Friend is a great champion of Harlow and the people of Harlow, and I believe he will make maximum use of the youth hub to advance opportunities for young people in his constituency.
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Assessment & feedback
Concrete details about services offered or impact not provided
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Q4
Direct Answer
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The MP expresses excitement about a youth hub in his constituency, noting the challenges of rurality.
There is already much excitement in my community that East Herts will be home to one of the new youth hubs being rolled out by this Labour Government. I represent a semi-rural area where young people often have to make significant journeys across or even outside the constituency to access the services and support they need.
My hon. Friend raises an important point. As I said, we recognise that transport can be a real barrier for young people in rural areas, so we have designed youth hubs to be flexible and to work with local partners on tailoring delivery for what works best in each area.
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Q5
Direct Answer
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Context
The MP notes the upcoming youth hub in Dartford and asks about its schedule and services.
Constituents in Dartford are also pleased that our area has been chosen as one of the local authorities to receive a youth hub. We have a growing population of under-25s, all of whom are talented and enthusiastic and want to get into the workplace.
The Dartford youth hub is scheduled to open in the next financial year, and it will bring together a range of support. Youth hubs include mental health support, housing support, and skills and career opportunities all in one place.
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Q6
Partial Answer
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Context
The MP criticizes the government for increasing youth unemployment and questions the impact of new initiatives.
I cannot help thinking that, with youth hubs, the Government are trying to fix a problem of their own creation. The amount of young unemployed people in my constituency has gone up 23% since the Government took office in July 2024.
As Alan Milburn pointed out in his recent report, the UK's NEET crisis is much more long-term and deep-seated than any decisions taken in the last few years. There are 400,000 more people in work than last year. The number of young people in employment is up by 74,000 since the election.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific plans to address unemployment not detailed
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Q7
Partial Answer
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Context
Fatima Whitbread, an Olympic athlete, is in Parliament to stress the importance of wraparound local authority hubs for care leavers. These hubs work with education, sport, police and charity sectors.
With Fatima Whitbread stressing the importance of wraparound local authority hubs for care leavers, will a member of the ministerial team talk to her about her ideas in this field?
The Minister acknowledges the importance of wraparound local authority hubs for care leavers and states that he will try to ensure a member of the ministerial team calls into Fatima's event.
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Specific commitment on which ministerial team member will attend
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Q8
Partial Answer
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Context
Young Somerset has helped people who have been failed by the education system into secure employment through supported internships.
Will the Minister congratulate Young Somerset on their supported internships programme and meet me to discuss cuts in funding and reduction of these internships?
The Minister congratulates Young Somerset on their supported internships programme but does not confirm a meeting to discuss funding cuts.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment on when and if the meeting will happen
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Q9
Partial Answer
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Context
Voices for Impacts youth advisory group's Glengormley youth centre has been cut to one night per week.
What encouragement can the Secretary of State give young people that youth hubs will be extended to Northern Ireland, considering their current lack of funding?
The Minister believes youth hubs are applicable to every part of the United Kingdom and encourages young people to know that the Government wants more opportunities for them.
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Assessment & feedback
Specific commitment on funding or timeline for extension in Northern Ireland
Response accuracy