§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people aged 16 to 18 were not in either education, training or work in each of the last five years. [94764]
§ Mr. Wicks[holding answer 19 October 1999]: The latest available information is in the table.
Year Number Percentage of population 1998 (provisional) 173,000 9 1997 167,000 9 1996 160,000 9 1995 152,000 9 1994 148,000 9 Source:
School, college, and trainee records, Labour Force Survey
We are taking a strategic approach to reducing the number of 16-18 year olds not in education, training, or work, and to improving participation and attainment across the board.
An enhanced strategy—called ConneXions—will ensure that far more young people continue in education and training until they are at least 19. Some initiatives under ConneXions, for example, Right to Time Off for Study or Training, will have begun to take effect from September this year. Further details of the ConneXions strategy will be announced shortly.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is chairing a Ministerial Steering Group to oversee the implementation of action recommended in "Bridging the Gap—New opportunities for 16-18-year-olds not in education employment or training", the Social Exclusion Unit's most recent report.