HC Deb 15 January 2001 vol 361 c74W
Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on co-ordination of the activities of the Connexions Unit, the Children and Young People's Unit and the Youth Service Unit. [145399]

Mr. Boateng

The Government recognise that it is vital to ensure their policies affecting children and young people are co-ordinated and coherent. The Cabinet Ministerial Committee on Children and Young People's Services co-ordinates work across Government on services for children and young people aged 0–19. This work includes that of the Children and Young People's Unit and of the Connexions Service National Unit, which now embraces the Youth Service Unit.

The Children and Young People's Unit supports the Cabinet Committee in its co-ordination role and also manages the Children's Fund, which will help to improve services for vulnerable young people. As Minister of State for Young People, I have day-to-day responsibility for the Children and Young People's Unit and its activities. My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State responsible for Lifelong Learning is the Minister responsible for the Connexions Service, a universal service for all 13 to 19-year-olds, and on behalf of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment chairs an Inter-departmental Connexions Ministerial Group.

Mr. Boswell

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the work of inter-ministerial and Cabinet Committees in co-ordinating youth policies. [145400]

Mr. Boateng

The Cabinet Ministerial Committee on Children and Young People's Services is chaired by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor, with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment as its vice-chair. Its remit to co-ordinate policies to prevent poverty and under-achievement among children and young people, co-ordinate and monitor the effectiveness of delivery and work with the voluntary sector to build a new alliance for children. I chair an inter-departmental ministerial sub-committee which supports the Cabinet Committee.