Overview
- Senior DWP leaders told MPs at a Work and Pensions Committee session that many thousands of people are currently receiving no payments at all.
- Skills England chair Phil Smith said about 300,000 young people are not on benefits, describing them as "not anywhere" and pointing to a wider NEET group nearing one million.
- The government outlined more funding for its Youth Guarantee and a new Growth and Skills Levy with targets to support one million young people and create 500,000 training and job opportunities.
- DWP minister Andrew Western announced employer incentives that include a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant, a £2,000 apprenticeship payment for small and medium firms, and a six‑month Jobs Guarantee role for long‑term unemployed 18 to 24‑year‑olds.
- Skills England, launched in June 2025 and moved to the DWP in September 2025, was set up to link skills provision with employment support so delivery can be coordinated in one department.