Television celebrity chef, Jamie Oliver’s fight to get the government to make sure new academies and free schools don’t serve junk food to their pupils has been backed by Liberal Democrat MP Julian Huppert.

Julian raised the issue with Education Minister, Michael Gove after he received a letter from Jamie and an email from a resident both expressing their concerns.

He has also signed a Commons’ Early Day Motion welcoming Jamie’s campaign and calling on Mr Gove to change the law to make academies and free schools serve food that meets nutritional regulations.

Julian said: “It is vital that our children receive good, nutritional meals, not only to promote healthy living now but also to teach them how to eat well for the future.

“We have children across the country who are obese because of poor diets and lack of exercise. We cannot afford to take any chances that this problem will be compounded by poor nutritional standards in our schools when we have introduced laws to protect against it.

“All schools teaching our children should be bound by the regulations put in place to safeguard the health of pupils in their care; there should be no exceptions.”

Mr Gove told Julian: “Free schools and new academies which have been set up from September 2010 are not required to comply with the school food standards.

“Studies by the School Food Trust now provide good evidence of the benefits of a balanced meal on pupils’ concentration, behaviour and ability to learn. Given this evidence we expect that free schools and academies will still want to promote healthy eating and good nutrition through the provision of high quality lunch services.

“We have asked the School Food Trust to survey the quality of food in a sample of academies in response to concerns raised by Jamie Oliver and we expect the trust to report to us within the next few months.”

For every £1 spent on National Citizen Service (NCS) up to £2 is being returned to the communities and young people who took part, according to new independent analysis published by a consortium led by NatCen Social Research.

The resounding success of National Citizen Service means the Government is now expanding the programme from 30,000 places in 2012 up to 90,000 by 2014. This will mean that the Government will invest around £200 million into young people’s futures but could reap £400 million in benefits to communities.

National Citizen Service is an ambitious scheme to develop the skills and potential of 16 and 17 year-olds. The new figures come from a rigorous independent evaluation of last year’s scheme by a consortium led by the NatCen Social Research.

The benefits are calculated by taking into consideration the equivalent of over £600,000 in working-hours volunteered by participants, and projected increased earnings over a lifetime of those who took part, as a result of some of the positive impacts of the programme on young people.

The evaluation also found that participation in NCS resulted in more social mixing during the programme, and increased well-being and reduced anti-social behaviour afterwards, meaning the true returns are likely to be even higher.

Overall the scheme has struck a chord with thousands of young people who took part:

• 93% said they would definitely recommend NCS to their friends;
• 95% of young people said that NCS gave them the chance to develop more skills for the future, with the proportion saying they were planning to continue studying after NCS increasing from 27% to 34%;
• 85% of participants agreed that the scheme had made them feel more positive towards people from different backgrounds;
• over 200,000 hours of social action were completed by NCS participants in 2011 and 77% of participants said that following NCS they were more likely to help out locally; and
• in addition to the social action completed as part of NCS, participants were more likely to have helped out a neighbour or someone else locally during the summer.

Ayesha Taylor-Camara, NCS graduate 2011, said:

“National Citizen Service has been a fantastic experience as it’s enabled me to try things I wouldn’t have had the opportunity to before and get a better idea about what I’d like to do in the future, such as setting up my own schemes for young people – helping them get work experience and providing alternative options to higher education.”

“It’s made me realise that I’d like to definitely carry on helping the community and helping young people pursue their goals. I’d certainly recommend it to my friends, I’m still in touch with people who went on NCS and I even met a girl who lived on my road that I didn’t know before.”

Maj (Retd) Chris Hunter QGM, Author and Former Army Bomb Disposal Operator, said:

“In these times of uncertainty we need to harness the power and innate talent of our young people more than ever. The NCS programme provides the perfect opportunity to nurture that talent and help our amazing young people to develop their self-confidence and hone their skills to get more involved in their communities, shape their futures and put the GREAT back into Britain.”

Charlotte Hill, Chief Executive, UK Youth, said:

“It’s great to see the evaluation of the 2011 NCS Pilot coming through with some really positive findings about the young people who took part. Over 90% of the 8,500 participants had an incredibly positive experience and mixed with people they wouldn’t have otherwise. It will be fascinating to see how their behaviour in the communities has changed long term, and if the general uplift we have seen in this evaluation continues.”

Penny Young, Chief Executive of NatCen Social Research, said:

“Our independent evaluation brings to life the impact National Citizen Service has on young people. By comparing the outcomes of NCS participants with a matched ‘control’ group, we’re able clearly to attribute changes in young people’s skills and potential to taking part in the programme.”

Brett Wigdortz, CEO and Founder of Teach First, said:

“I am very encouraged to see the results of the evaluation of the first year of the National Citizen Service. At Teach First our focus is on raising the achievement, aspirations and access to opportunity of pupils from low socio-economic backgrounds, so I was particularly interested to see that the programme is increasing its participants’ aspirations for continuing in education, as well as helping them to build valuable teamwork and leadership skills.”

“As the initiative progresses we look forward to seeing its longer term impact on the educational attainment and employment patterns of those taking part.”

The Government will shortly be inviting voluntary organisations, social enterprises, businesses and public sector organisations to bid to run programmes for up to 90,000 young people by 2014 in a market that is worth around £200 million.

The Government will incentivise providers to deliver a high quality programme for young people. A proportion of their payment from government will be paid at the end of the programme based on completion rates, participant satisfaction rating and achievement of social mix.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg delivered the speech ‘Delivering Education’s Progressive Promise: Using the Pupil Premium to Change Lives’ on 14 May 2012:

Over the last two years, since the election, I have learnt many things. Nothing teaches you as much about your own priorities, your own values as governing at a time when money is tight and choices need to be made as well as governing in coalition where you have to make compromises too.

There are the things we have to do, like cutting the deficit to keep the economy safe. There are the opportunities we cannot miss, like cleaning up the relationship between politicians and the media; reforming party funding; modernising the House of Lords.

And then there are the goals that drive us; the actions we hope will define our time in office. I am in this government to play my part in rescuing and reforming the economy and creating sustainable growth for all. But we are not going to miss our chance to make Britain a better, fairer place too.

For me, nothing illustrates that better than our Pupil Premium: extra money for the most disadvantaged children in our schools. How can it be that in a modern, open society like ours a child’s destiny is still determined by their background? How can it be that, despite all the promise on a four or five year old’s first day at school, despite the passion and dedication of their teachers, too often you can plot that child’s path just by asking how much their parents earn?

If their parents are poor, by the time they start primary school they’re more likely to be behind the other children; they’re more likely to leave it unable to read and write properly; they’re much less likely to go on to get five good GSCEs; far less likely to take their A’ levels.

And, as for the top universities and the best jobs? Look in your average classroom and around one in five children are on free school meals. Look at your average Oxbridge lecture hall and that drops to 1 in 100. And we must never forget that this gap between poorer and richer children hurts everyone. Every parent knows that, when a handful of children can’t keep up, it holds back the whole class. And when they can’t fulfil their potential, it costs the whole country too. On one estimate, if these children could make the most of their abilities, if we brought the low performers just up to the average, by 2050 we could increase GDP by an estimated £140bn.

***

The odds can be beaten. It’s happening right here – New North Academy – where you’re working hard to close the gap and seeing real progress. It’s happening in great schools up and down the country. There are now 440 secondary schools – one in five – where disadvantaged pupils are doing better in their GCSEs than the national average for all children. A new generation of high poverty, high performance schools – with high expectations to match. Yes, they are in the minority, but a minority that proves the power of ambition, leadership, great teachers: a ‘sky’s the limit’ approach.

And that is what the Pupil Premium is for: to equip every school to support pupils from the most disadvantaged backgrounds, to help us build a more socially mobile Britain where ability trumps privilege, where effort trumps connections, where sharp elbows don’t automatically get you to the front.

It’s not the only tool in the Coalition’s box. We’re intervening at every stage of a child’s educational journey, from when they’re very young – for example, increasing early years education for two year olds in households feeling the squeeze as well as increasing it for all 3 and 4 year olds – to when they make the transition to adulthood, opening up internships and work experience placements. Giving employers cash bonuses to take on the young and unemployed. Providing disadvantaged university students with more financial support than before. Ensuring – through our income tax changes – that when you start your working life you keep more of the money you earn.

But, for me, the Pupil Premium remains the most important lever we have – and it’s in your hands.

***

It’s an idea I first came across in the Netherlands ten years ago when I was working as an MEP looking into different education systems across Europe. And it has travelled with me ever since: from a modest think tank pamphlet, to the Coalition Agreement, to the funding statements of thousands of schools across the country.
And, now, extra help, directly delivered to that one child who deserves the best their future can offer and, for so long, could only expect the worst.

Last year the Pupil Premium was worth an extra £488 for pupils on Free School Meals and looked after children. This year it’s increased to £600 and been extended to children who have been eligible for Free School Meals at any time in the last six years. Despite an unprecedented squeeze on public spending this year the Pupil Premium will be worth £1.25bn in total, doubling to £2.5bn by the end of the Parliament.

So we’ve made the case for the Pupil Premium. We’ve won the battle to get it properly funded. Today I want to talk about how we make it a success. Because we now have a once in a generation chance: get this right and we make good on education’s progressive promise: to give every child the chance to go as far as their abilities and effort can carry them. And we’ll achieve something else of lasting importance: we’ll prove that teachers do best when Whitehall steps out of the way.

To that end, I want to strike a deal between the Coalition government and our schools and teachers: we’ll give you the cash; we’ll give you the freedom; we’ll reward and celebrate your success. But in return, we want you to redouble your efforts to close the gap between your poorer pupils and everyone else. We won’t be telling you what to do, but we will be watching what you achieve.

***

I’ve talked about the money so let me say a word about freedom and rewards. The Coalition has no desire to micromanage schools. We all remember the worst excesses of that approach: in the year before the election, just reading all of the email guidance from Whitehall would have taken teachers as long as working through The Complete Works of Shakespeare – twice.

This Government’s approach is different. We don’t want reams of Whitehall diktat to strangle creativity or kill innovation.

Since we announced the Pupil Premium, I’ve been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm from the profession. Take Pupil Premium summer schools which, starting this year, will help disadvantaged pupils make the transition from primary to secondary. We were told teachers wouldn’t want to run them; pupils wouldn’t want to go. Yet we’ve been inundated with applications from schools – around 2100, and counting.

As many as 70,000 11 year olds could attend – 7 out of every eligible 10.

So there is a great deal of excitement out there. Before I come on to the ways different schools are embracing the Pupil Premium. I would just like to pause on this transition period, this critical, make-or-break jump from primary school to secondary school. Because what happens then matters massively.

One minute a child is taught in one classroom, by one teacher; a big fish in a little pond. The next they’re in a huge school, further from home full of children they don’t know; teachers they don’t recognise; subjects they’ve never done.

That upheaval can be extremely traumatic, not to mention the worry and guilt parents suffer. And poorer children can find it even harder: often they’re already low in confidence and struggling academically. American research actually shows that, during that crucial summer middle income pupils get a bit better at reading, while poorer pupils get worse.

How can a child start secondary school unable to read with confidence? That is a basic building block of a good education and no child should begin the race so far behind the starting line. We need to do everything we can to help these children through this transition to get them up to speed.

That is a responsibility the Government takes extremely seriously. And I can confirm today that the Education Endowment Foundation will shortly be inviting groups of local schools in the areas that suffer most with this problem to bid for extra funds for struggling Year 7s, from deprived homes to help them get their reading and writing up to scratch. Extra “catch up cash”, if you like.

The support will be for pupil premium pupils who leave primary school without Level 4 literacy – the expected level. And we envisage that schools will want to use it for small catch up classes, or one-to-one tuition, or vouchers for literacy tuition that parents can spend. We’ll run a proper evaluation, sharing what works with all schools not just those areas taking part in these pilots. It’s likely this kind of targeted support is the best way to crack this problem – next year we’ll know.

Of course, we hope as few pupils as possible need it, thanks to the Pupil Premium. And I know primary and secondary schools up and down the country are determined to make this work. Some are using the money for breakfast clubs; homework clubs; or to provide one-to-one-tuition. Some are funding counselling services, so troubled kids are in the right place, emotionally, to learn. Some are using it for educational visits to places like museums: the sort of experiences middle class children take for granted but poorer child might rarely enjoy – and I know that’s an approach you take here.

Others are paying for extra staff to take disengaged or disruptive children out of class when they switch off or play up or to work directly with children who don’t have English as a first language and need extra help with reading and writing. Some are consulting directly with parents on how to spend it. All the evidence shows that, when parents play a part in their children’s learning those children do better. When mothers and fathers understand how to support what happens in the classroom. When they can pass their insights onto the professionals too.

Many of the best schools already create this kind of partnership. But, where it doesn’t happen, the Pupil Premium creates a new way to bring parents in to start a meaningful conversation that can last for that child’s entire school life.

Of course, some approaches will be more effective than others and schools will want to learn from each other. That’s why we’ve created the Education Endowment Foundation: to fund research and collect the evidence of what works and to ensure it is spread through the system.

And we need teachers to help in this effort too – they’re the real experts. One idea I’m keen on, and I’m looking at, is giving more teachers the chance to do some proper research with universities. When an individual teacher excels at breaking this link between poverty and educational failure they’ll help maybe 5, 10, 15 pupils. But if we can turn their real life successes into hard research, into lessons that can be shared we can massively multiply the benefits – helping thousands of pupils. And, in the process, we can build new links between state schools and universities too.

***

And, wherever we see success, we’re going to celebrate it. Raising the status of helping the poorest children to lead a culture shift to get the best teachers into the most challenging schools.

We all know the difference great teachers make – from our own experiences and the evidence too. That’s why, over the weekend, I was extremely disturbed to hear that, according to one survey around a third of teachers said they don’t feel respected as professionals. Yet teachers make the most profoundly valuable contribution to our society. And I want to take this opportunity, on behalf of everyone, to thank them for the life changing job they do.
When all the odds are stacked against a child – hardship, low confidence, parents who can’t cope – its teachers who step in and make the difference, teachers who go above and beyond the call of duty, day in, day out to give those families hope, teachers who help these children unlock the doors that otherwise hold them back.

Our teachers are the key to an open and fair society; the key to the opportunity Britain I am determined we build.

I’m pleased to announce that the government, in partnership with the Times Educational Supplement will, from next year, be introducing awards for the top-50 schools who have done the most to boost the performance of their poorest pupils and to narrow the gap with their better off peers. That success will be up in lights in the performance tables. They’ll win publicity, acclaim and cash too – cash prizes of up to £10,000 for the best of the best. And this isn’t just about glitz and glamour.
We want every aspiring new teacher to see working with disadvantaged children as a crucial step to the top. An essential part of a successful and fulfilling career.

That’s why the revised professional qualification for headship will, from September Contain a module devoted to “closing the gap”. It’s why, under the Teaching Leaders and Future Leaders Programmes when teachers take up posts in disadvantaged schools, when they make a break through with their pupils, they don’t just get job satisfaction they have a better chance of fast-tracking through the ranks.

I’m delighted that some of our National Leaders of Education, some of our best heads, who themselves run outstanding schools and help others to improve, are looking specifically at expanding the role they play, and the role teaching schools play in narrowing the attainment gap in underperforming schools. And of course, pay matters here too. Academies already have the freedom to use pay to hold on to the best teachers – something they can use their Pupil Premium for. And we are asking the School Teachers Review Body to look at giving other schools the same flexibility, giving excellent teachers every reason to apply their talents in challenging schools.

***

So money, freedom, rewards. Take it; use it as you see fit. But know that you will be held accountable for what you achieve. Schools cannot just absorb this money and spend it on other things. And we are putting a lot of government muscle behind making sure this investment gets results. We’ve already introduced tougher standards for primary schools to ensure every child fulfils their potential and we have been clear that persistent failure will have consequences.

But schools need to know that, in assessing their performance OFSTED will be looking forensically at how well their Pupil Premium pupils do. Inspectors are already being instructed to look closely at how schools are spending the money and to what effect, with plans to publish a survey early next year. And, because OFSTED understands the priority I attach to this issue, it will be providing me with regular reports detailing the progress schools are making in closing the attainment gap.

The message should be clear: if a school’s Pupil Premium population are failing, more likely than not the whole school will be judged to be failing. At that point, the inspections will become more frequent and OFSTED will take a much closer interest in how that school’s Pupil Premium is spent.

There’s only one freedom we’re not giving schools: the freedom to fail. This is a major change. We are saying, unlike ever before, that school excellence is not simply about great overall results. The best schools must be engines of social mobility too.

That’s my vision for schools. I know that’s your vision too. And I know that, together, we can make this a success. I know that we can make Britain a place where, when a teacher looks out at their class on the first day of term when they look down the list of names and addresses it is impossible to guess how the different children will do.

Because each child will have every opportunity ahead of them. Each will fly as high as their talents can take them.

Thank you.

Liberal Democrat Member of Parliament for Leeds North West Greg Mulholland was among a group of politicians, teachers and school children at a parliamentary launch of the British Red Cross’s Pupil, Citizen, Lifesaver initiative in Westminster.

The British Red Cross is campaigning for first aid and humanitarian education to be given a secure place on the national curriculum to equip young people with the skills to help in the event of emergencies ranging from the collapse of a friend to the aftermath of an earthquake.

Pupils were joined by British Red Cross staff to showcase their skills and encourage MPs to back the campaign. The youngsters have undergone basic first aid courses and are now peer-educators training teachers and classmates.

While 83% of Britain’s teachers and 98 per cent of parents want first aid to become part of the curriculum, just 18 per cent of primary schools in the UK offer pupils the chance to learn these skills. The British Red Cross is hoping the Government’s planned curriculum review can change that.

Greg Mulholland MP said:

“Learning life-saving skills and humanitarian education can only benefit young people, helping to create a generation of responsible and respectful young people.

“Research has shown 98 per cent of parents believe first aid should be taught in schools, which is why, as a long time supporter of the work of the Red Cross, I am backing this British Red Cross campaign.

“Their ongoing efforts to equip children and young people with quality first aid training are praiseworthy, and I encourage colleagues to join me in supporting this campaign.”

Sir Nicholas Young, British Red Cross chief executive, said the event had helped to put calls for curriculum reform on the map:

“The review must not slip down the political agenda. As we wait for further details on the Government’s plans we’re encouraging anyone passionate about education to take part in our e-campaign and ask their local MP to pledge their support.

“Together we can raise awareness and gather support to ensure first and humanitarian principles are securely placed in a new national curriculum which is fit for the 21st century.”

Put yourself in the picture. This is the invitation from North East Lincolnshire Council’s fostering team to anyone who has the time to care and make a positive difference to the life of a child.

To mark Fostering Fortnight, May 14-27, the team will be taking to the road to highlight the urgent need for foster families in this area. Locally there is a need for carers to look after babies and toddlers, teenagers and family groups of two or three children.

Foster carers are aged over 21 years, but there is no upper age limit, and they come from all walks of life. If you have the dedication, time and space to care for a child or children who need help, then fostering could be the right choice for you. Fostering isn’t easy, but North East Lincolnshire Council would like to urge interested people to come forward and find out more. Our highly regarded quality training programme and outstanding support will be given to all new foster carers.

If you would like to know more and put yourself in the picture, drop in and see members of the fostering team, social workers and foster carers: They will be available for an open and frank discussion about becoming a foster carer from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm:

Tuesday 15, May – St James Hotel, St James Square, Grimsby
Wednesday 23, May – Morrison’s Car Park, Louth
Thursday 24, May – The Riverhead, Grimsby
Friday 25, May – Discovery Centre Car Park, Cleethorpes
Wednesday 20, June – Lincolnshire Show, Lincolnshire Showground
Thursday 21, June – Lincolnshire Show, Lincolnshire Showground
Councillor Ian Lindley, portfolio holder people services said, “Across the UK a child comes into care every 22 minutes and it is estimated that nationally 8,750 new foster families will be need in 2012. Locally we still have a need for more families that can help us keep brothers and sisters together or offer short breaks to a child with disabilities.

“The fostering service was recently judged to be outstanding by Ofsted and can offer the highest quality support to local carers. If you think fostering is something you might like to consider, please call into one of the events in May or June. There is no pressure but you might find a new fulfilling career that makes a big difference to some of our most vulnerable children.”

For more information about becoming a foster carer please visit our website www.nelincs.gov.uk/fostering

This May the Family Information Service Outreach Workers will be holding a number of Information sessions at the Jobcentre Plus venues in Grimsby & Immingham why not drop in and see us for free, impartial advice and guidance on services for children & young people 0-19 years! (local activites, clubs & groups, Childcare, money matters and much more)

Immingham Job Centre Plus, Kenedy Way, Immingham
Tuesday 8th & 22nd May

Grimsby Jobcentre Plus, Victoria Street, Grimsby
Thursday 23rd May 10am – 5pm

665* laboratory confirmed cases of whooping cough have been reported to the Health Protection Agency (HPA) in England and Wales between January and March 2012, compared to total of 1,040* cases across the whole of 2011.

The increase – continuing from the second half of 2011 – has been reported across all regions in England with some areas reporting clusters in schools, universities and healthcare settings.

Whooping cough, also known as pertussis, affects all ages. However over the last few months the increase has extended to very young children who have the highest risk of severe complications and death.

Whooping cough in older people can be an unpleasant illness but does not usually lead to serious complications.

The main symptoms of whooping cough are severe coughing fits which, in babies and children, are accompanied by the characteristic “whoop” sound as the child gasps for breath after coughing.

The infection can be treated with a course of antibiotics to prevent the infection spreading further but young infants may need hospital care due to the risk of severe complications.

Dr Mary Ramsay, head of immunisation at the HPA said:

“Whooping cough can be a very unpleasant infection. Anyone showing signs and symptoms – which include severe coughing fits accompanied by the characteristic “whoop” sound in young children but as a prolonged cough in older children and adults – should visit their GP.

“Whooping cough can spread easily to close contacts such as household members. Vaccination is the most effective way to protect people from this infection and uptake of the vaccine is very good..Parents should ensure their children are up to date with their vaccinations so that they are protected at the earliest opportunity. The pre-school booster is also important, not only to boost protection in that child but also to reduce the risk of them passing the infection on to vulnerable babies, as those under four months cannot be fully protected by the vaccine.

“The HPA has written to GPs to remind them of the signs and symptoms of this infection and stress the importance of vaccination. The agency is also encouraging GPs to report cases quickly and to make them aware of the HPA’s guidance to help reduce the spread of the infection.”
The HPA is also reminding parents to ensure their children are protected against measles due to a slight increase in cases since the beginning of the year. So far, 253 laboratory confirmed measles cases have been reported to the agency in 2012 compared to 200 cases reported for the same period last year. The majority of cases have been in unvaccinated individuals.

Dr Ramsay continued:

“As we approach the time of year when many children are travelling on school trips and family holidays, we are again urging parents to protect their children against measles by ensuring they have been immunised with two doses of MMR. This is particularly important given the increase in cases in children and young adults over the last few months. The continued outbreak in the Merseyside area is a clear demonstration that measles can be a very serious illness.

“Measles is a highly infectious which spreads very easily particularly in schools and universities. It’s never too late to get your child immunised with two doses of the MMR vaccine. We cannot stress enough that measles is serious and in some cases it can be fatal. Delaying immunisation puts children at risk.”

Liberal Democrat Local Transport Minister Norman Baker has announced that more than 300,000 school children will learn to cycle safely, competently and confidently on the road over the next year, thanks to nearly £11million worth of government funding allocated today.

Funding has been allocated to local highway authorities and schools across the country for the national Bikeability scheme which provides cycling proficiency for the 21st century.

As well as the £11million of grants agreed for this year, a further £24million will be allocated by the Department for Transport over the following two years. This includes an extra £2million to support expansion of the scheme on top of money originally earmarked for Bikeability. Additional local contributions worth around £11.5million are expected over the next three years.

Local Transport Minister Norman Baker said:

“Cycling brings many benefits, and as a government we are keen to encourage its uptake as a healthy and sustainable transport choice, which eases congestion and helps cut carbon.

“It is vital that the next generation of cyclists is well prepared with the skills and confidence to ride safely and well on modern roads and this funding ensures that many more thousands of children will receive the solid grounding to set them up as lifelong cyclists.”

Big winners this year include Merseytravel who are receiving over £400,000, Hampshire, where children will benefit from almost £500,000 worth of training, Staffordshire receiving more than £350,000 and Kent, where total funding is over £380,000.

The Department has also published a report looking at the number of children cycling to school since the introduction of the Bikeability scheme five years ago. In March the scheme celebrated five years of delivering training for children in schools.

This report shows that where there is a longer history of delivering cycle training, a higher proportion of children are cycling to secondary school. Further, those authorities that have received higher levels of Bikeability funding have seen larger increases in cycling to secondary school.

Britain’s unemployed young people are being given a major boost today as the Youth Contract opens for business. Nearly half a million young people are set to benefit as £1 billion becomes available to get them into new jobs or training.

The Youth Contract, launched by the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Minister for Employment Chris Grayling, supports businesses to get young people earning or learning. The Government is determined to tackle youth unemployment and those out of work aged between 16-24 are urged to go to their Job Centres today to ask about the opportunities available to them.

From today:
•Businesses can now take on under 25s, with 160,000 wage incentives worth up to £2,275. This process has been made simple for businesses and the amount is more than enough to cover an employer’s National Insurance contributions for employing a young person for a year.
•An extra 250,000 work experience places will be provided over the next three years. Every 18 to 24 year-old Jobseekers Allowance claimant who wants one will now be able to take up a placement before receiving more intensive support offered through the Work Programme.
•An extra 20,000 incentive payments will become available to encourage smaller businesses to recruit their first apprentices and, from the summer, there will be extra support for the most disengaged 16 and 17-year-olds in England.
•Extra resource will also allow advisers based in each of the 741 Jobcentre Plus offices to spend more time working with young people and provide a National Careers Service interview.

Britain’s biggest businesses are crucial in tackling the shared goal of getting young people into work and training.

Today it is being announced that some of Britain’s biggest companies, spearheaded by Morrisons, are signing up to the Youth Contract to get 50,000 unskilled young people into work over the next three years. The 16-24 Alliance has the ambition of dramatically bringing down youth unemployment. The Alliance includes Morrisons, E-On, Phones4U and Barclays.

One way that companies from the Alliance can help is by taking on unemployed young people through the Youth Contract wage incentive. But instead of banking the money, the funding will allow companies to invest in specialist charities to train up and support young people who lack the skills for the world of work.

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said:

“
We’re determined to tackle youth unemployment and set young people on the path to work before long-term damage is done.”

“Today is a major moment for Britain’s unemployed young people. The message is clear – if you’re under 25 and don’t have a job, we are putting the money in to get you earning or learning through the Youth Contract. If you want to work or train, then we – together with businesses – will help you.

“Big business has a huge role to play in getting young people into work and I’d like to congratulate companies from the 16-24 Alliance for committing to using money from the Youth Contract to help the young people who need it most to join the world of work.”

Employment Minister Chris Grayling said:

“
Youth unemployment is one of the biggest challenges this country faces and we’re determined to make a difference to a problem that’s been building up for much of the past decade.”

“What we’re offering through the Youth Contract is real practical support to both employers and job seekers which we hope will give young people a head start in the labour market.”

The package of measures has received widespread support from businesses and builds on policies including the Work Programme and work experience placements.

Skills Minister John Hayes said:

“
By reviving apprenticeships, this Government is helping thousands of young people discover the purposeful pride that builds successful careers, thriving firms and strong communities.”

“In the past smaller firms have been deterred from hiring an apprentice due to perceived logistical, training and administrative costs but the new incentives of £1,500 are encouraging SMEs to give thousands of young people a great start to their working life.”

John Cridland, CBI Director-General, said:

“The Youth Contract is a great way of encouraging more businesses to take on young unemployed people up and down the country.”

“Youth unemployment is a real concern, and by helping firms cover the costs of employing and training a young person, the Youth Contract should make an impact where it matters.”

On Monday 2 April 2012, the £1billion Youth Contract will start. The Youth Contract was announced last year by Liberal Democrat Leader and Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg to tackle youth unemployment.

The Youth Contract aims to ensure that all jobless young people are earning or learning again before long-term damage is done.

In North East Lincolnshire 2,200 18 to 24-year olds are currently in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance and would stand to benefit from the Youth Contract.

The Youth Contract will provide at least 410,000 new work places for 18 to 24-year olds into work over the next three years. This includes 160,000 wage subsidies and 250,000 new work experience placements.

A new programme to will help 16 and 17-year olds who are not in employment, education or training (NEETs).

This will help the most disengaged of the NEETs in North East Lincolnshire to get back to school or college, onto an apprenticeship or into a job with training.

In addition, there will be at least 20,000 more incentive payments to encourage employers to take on young apprentices in England.

Local Liberal Democrat, Les Bonner said:

“In these difficult times Liberal Democrats are doing the right thing and making sure we help those who need it most.

“If young people are out of work, the consequences of that will be felt for a long time afterwards. We have to ensure that the young people of today do not have a false start to their careers.

“The Youth Contract will help those who need it most through advice, support and training and by giving people in North East Lincolnshire the experience necessary to be successful in the work place.

“While we’re clearing up the economic mess that Labour left behind, the Coalition Government is ensuring that our children do not bear the consequences of Labour’s mistakes.

“As a Liberal Democrat, I am proud that the Coalition Government is doing the right thing to prevent another lost generation.”

Commenting further, Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg said:

`“Youth unemployment is a slow-burn social disaster and an economic waste.

“We can’t lose the skills and talent of our young people – right when we need them most. We need the next generation to help us build a new economy.

“The aim of the Youth Contract is to get every unemployed young person earning or learning again before long-term damage is done, giving them the skills for a lifetime of work.

“This is a £1billion package and it will get young people into proper, lasting jobs.”