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Written question asked by Lewis Cocking (Conservative) on Friday, 3 July 2026, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 7 July 2026. It was answered by Andrew Western (Labour) on Wednesday, 15 July 2026 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Jobcentres: Standards

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the press release entitled Funding for businesses who give youngsters a chance as Government ramps up youth jobs drive, of 29 June 2026, what assessment he made of the effectiveness of expanded Jobcentre support before making it available at every Jobcentre.

Answer

The Youth Guarantee aims to increase opportunities for 16-24-year-olds to make them work-ready and equipped to thrive. Success will be measured by improvement in employment outcomes, reduction in economic inactivity, and an increase in participation in education and training.

Evidence for the effectiveness of expanded Jobcentre support is primarily derived from the DWP Youth Offer Process Evaluation, which was published in October 2024. It found generally positive outcomes, with most participants reporting tailored and useful support; findings have since informed improvements to delivery, mental health referrals, and efforts to address local service gaps and barriers. We will monitor these outcomes nationally for all Youth Guarantee participants. This will build on already commissioned evaluation of eight Youth Guarantee Trailblazers and a planned full process evaluation of the Jobs Guarantee, the first phase of which is now underway. Evaluation plans for the Youth Jobs Grant and the Youth Hub expansion are also being developed.

The new Jobcentre support is based on these findings and offers young people on Universal Credit and looking for work tailored employment support and a structured path into a job, apprenticeship, work experience, SWAP, learning or training from their first appointment in the Jobcentre.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
15776
Session
2026-27
Subjects
Business Jobcentres Finance Standards Young people
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk