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The Department for Work and Pensions is launching a new initiative to support benefits claimants born in specific years. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall has introduced a £45 million
Youth Guarantee scheme, ensuring every 18 to 21 year old in England has the opportunity to "earn or learn". This move acknowledges the UK government's Get Britain Working
white paper, which highlights the lasting impact of the COVID pandemic, particularly on 16 to 24 year olds not in education, employment, or training (Neets), with an estimated 987,000
affected, a rising figure, reports Birmingham Live. Labour Party MP Ms Kendall stated in a previous Commons update: "The "Get Britain Working" White Paper will be published
imminently, backed by £240 million of investment announced by the Chancellor in the Budget. "I look forward very much to talking to my hon. Friend and the organisations that are working
so hard locally, because I believe that the man, or even woman, in Whitehall can never know what is best in Peterborough, Leicester or Leeds." She also mentioned: " I have already
had many discussions with, among others, members of integrated care boards, and they are passionate about the opportunities that exist to get more people into work and enable them to get on
in their work, including jobs in social care." "Joined-up working between the Department of Health and Social Care and the Department for Work and Pensions will be at the heart of
our plans to get Britain working, because, unlike some Opposition Members, we do not find it acceptable for 2.8 million people to be locked out of the workforce owing to long-term sickness.
We have a proper plan to get Britain working and growing again." Ms Kendall stated: "The Conservative Party left nearly a million young people not in education, employment or
training, and almost a record number of people-2.8 million- out of work owing to long-term sickness. "They failed to introduce reforms to join up work, health and skills properly, and
they have not learnt from those mistakes. I am proud that this Government are investing an extra £240 million to get Britain working again, giving people the opportunities that they need to
work and build a better life."
