Written question asked by Lord Mann (Labour) on Thursday, 1 December 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 December 2011. It was answered by Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton (Conservative) on Wednesday, 7 December 2011 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Youth Unemployment

Question: To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the level of youth unemployment.

Answer: The problem of rising youth unemployment has been ongoing since 2004. Comprehensive action is required to ensure young people have sustained employment opportunities in the private sector.So the Government have launched the £1 billion Youth Contract which will provide an extra 250,000 work experience places and 160,000 wage incentive payments.The Government are also providing over 440,000 apprenticeship places this year, opening up 24 University Technical Colleges and are ensuring vulnerable young people have faster access to the specialised support of the Work programme.This Government are also reforming our schools so that young people leave better equipped to join the work force.

Secondary information