§ David DavisTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many young people in the East Riding of Yorkshire were not working, studying or in training in 2003. [171788]
§ Ruth KellyThe Office of National Statistics estimate from the Labour Force Survey, for the twelve months ending in February 2003, that 4,000 young people aged 16 to 24 resident in East Riding of Yorkshire were networking and were not in full-time education or in Government-supported training schemes. This compares to around 4800 young people in 1997.
Since 1997 the Government have introduced a wide range of support for young people who are not working, studying or training. Most young people leave unemployment in under six months. The New Deal for Young People and other support is in place for those aged 18–24 who do not. In Budget 2004 the Chancellor announced reforms to the financial support system for 16–19 year olds to improve the support and incentives 1514W available to young people to remain in education and training. These reforms build on the introduction of Education Maintenance Allowances from September 2004 to improve the financial support available to the hardest to reach to stay in education. Young people can also access advice and support on education and training through either the Connexions Service or Job Centre Plus.