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Young People: Unemployment

Asked by James McMurdockIndependentDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 8 January 2026UIN 98284

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, pursuant to the Answer of 2 December 2025 to Question 94070, when the independent investigation will be published.

Answered by Andrew Western

An independent investigation has been launched to tackle the persistently high numbers of young people out of work, education and training.

Led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn, the review will examine why increasing numbers of young people are falling out of work or education before their careers have begun.

The review will be taken forward in two distinct phases: a discovery phase; and a solution phase.

The discovery phase will conclude by Spring 2026, at which point the Author is expected to produce, and submit to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, an interim review.

The review will then continue into the solution phase, with the Chair providing a full and final review by Summer 2026.

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