Tag: DWP

More Youth Hubs for Scotland

18 more Youth Hubs for Scotland to help young people build skills and find jobs

·                     Thousands of young people across the country are set to receive employment, education or training support as almost 180 new Youth Hub locations are confirmed in Great Britain 

·                     Areas including Inverclyde, Aberdeenshire, Scottish borders and the Orkney Islands will see new hubs open in local sports clubs, libraries and other venues at the heart of the community – bringing support out of the jobcentre to meet young people where they are

·                     Youth Hubs are central to the UK Government’s once-in-a-generation drive to tackle youth unemployment, backed by £2.5 billion investment   

Thousands of young people across Great Britain will benefit from access to expanded employment and wrap-around support services as the locations of almost 180 new Youth Hubs – including 18 in Scotland – are confirmed this week [June 15.  

In total 28 areas of Scotland to be allocated a Youth Hub have now been confirmed (see notes to editors).

The rollout forms part of a national expansion of Youth Hubs to over 360 with the aim that a young person is no more than one hour away from a Youth Hub by public transport.  

This will ensure that vital support, delivered in the community, is available to even more young people, making local support services accessible, no matter where they live.  

From football clubs to colleges and libraries, the hubs bring together local mental health and housing support, skills and training opportunities as well as careers guidance and work opportunities with links to local employers with live job and apprenticeship opportunities.  

Confirmation of the next wave of Youth Hubs came shortly after Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visited a youth point – the Dutch equivalent of Youth Hubs – during a fact-finding trip to the Netherlands, which has one of the world’s lowest NEET rates.  

UK Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, Pat McFadden said:  “We want to make sure young people are getting real, personalised support, that’s not one size fits all. I’ve seen how it can change lives. 

“Our Youth Hubs have over the past two years pioneered this approach – bringing job centre services together with mental health support, housing advice and more. 

“I want to turbocharge this rollout so that every young person has this support within reach that can help them move into learning or earning.” 

Scottish Secretary Douglas Alexander said: “Extending the UK Government’s Youth Hubs initiative to another 18 areas across Scotland over the next 2 years, bringing the total to 28, will help ensure even more young people have access to everything from CV advice to mental health support so they can fulfil their potential. 

“Too many young Scots have been let down over recent years by a lack of opportunity. We are ensuring that up to 60,000 young people across Scotland have real pathways into work, whether that’s in our growing renewables sector, in construction trades that need skilled workers, or in hospitality.

“This is about backing Scotland’s young people with the support, training and guaranteed employment they need to build careers, not just find jobs.”

Yesterday the Work and Pensions Secretary visited a Youth Hub in England where he met young people who are currently receiving personalised guidance to allow them to move into employment and training.

“The Secretary of State heard from young people who have already been helped by the Hub, and how the range of support offered will be central to them moving forward. 

Since opening in May 2026, The Tower Hamlets Youth Hub has established itself as an exemplary Youth Hub, working with local stakeholder and partners to ensure a joined-up approach, bringing together access to mental health, wellbeing, employmnent and skills support for local young people. 

Over the next three years, the Government is expanding its network of Youth Hubs to over 360 local areas across Great Britain. This will connect every 16-24-year-old across the country with real opportunities in their local area, ensuring each person has access to high-quality, wide-ranging support to move towards learning or earning.

Our new Youth Hubs will meet young people where they are, in football stadiums and community venues across Britain, giving them access to housing support, mental health help and a clear pathway into work or training, exactly as Alan Milburn recommended.  

Youth Hubs are a key part of the £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee and come alongside changes to the Growth and Skills Levy which aim to refocus the skills system towards people at the start of their working life.  

The government is also supporting businesses to hire young workers with a Youth Jobs Grant worth £3,000 for every 18- to 24-year-old hired who has been on Universal Credit for six months, while a £2,000 apprenticeship incentive is available for each new employee aged 16-24 taken on by a small business. 

Ensuring every young person has the chance to earn or learn through the government’s Youth Guarantee and turning the tide on the nation’s high NEET rate is essential to driving the nation’s plan for growth.  

Scotland – Year 2: Angus, Inverclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, Highland, East Lothian, Argyll and Bute, Perth and Kinross, Moray. Total: 10 Youth Hubs.

Year 3: Stirling, City of Edinburgh, Aberdeenshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, Na h-Eileanan an Iar. Total: 8 Youth Hubs.

More Youth Hubs to help young people build skills and find jobs

Thousands of young people across Great Britain will benefit from access to expanded employment and wrap-around support services as the locations of almost 180 new Youth Hubs are confirmed

  • Thousands of young people across the country are set to receive employment, education or training support as almost 180 new Youth Hub locations are confirmed.
  • Areas including Inverclyde, St Albans and Cardiff will see new hubs open in local sports clubs, libraries and other venues at the heart of the community– bringing support out of the jobcentre to meet young people where they are.
  • Youth Hubs are central to the Government’s once-in-a-generation drive to tackle youth unemployment, backed by £2.5 billion investment.

Thousands of young people across Great Britain will benefit from access to expanded employment and wrap-around support services as the locations of almost 180 new Youth Hubs have been confirmed.

The rollout forms part of a national expansion of Youth Hubs to over 360 areas with the aim that a young person is no more than one hour away from a Youth Hub by public transport.

This will ensure that vital support, delivered in the community, is available to even more young people, making local support services accessible, no matter where they live.

From football clubs to colleges and libraries, the hubs bring together local mental health and housing support, skills and training opportunities as well as careers guidance and work opportunities with links to local employers with live job and apprenticeship opportunities.

Confirmation of the next wave of Youth Hubs came shortly after Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visited a youth point – the Dutch equivalent of Youth Hubs – during a fact-finding trip to the Netherlands, which has one of the world’s lowest NEET rates.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “We want to make sure young people are getting real, personalised support, that’s not one size fits all. I’ve seen how it can change lives.

“Our Youth Hubs have over the past two years pioneered this approach – bringing job centre services together with mental health support, housing advice and more.

“I want to turbocharge this rollout so that every young person has this support within reach that can help them move into learning or earning.”

Yesterday the Work and Pensions Secretary visited the Tower Hamlets Youth Hub, located in the Feldy Community Centre, where he met young people who are currently receiving personalised guidance to allow them to move into employment and training. The Secretary of State heard from young people who have already been helped by the Hub, and how the range of support offered will be central to them moving forward.

Tanzeem Ahmed, Assistant Director of Employment and Training at Poplar HARCA, said: “We’re proud to launch the Tower Hamlets Youth Hub at the Feldy Centre in Poplar this June, supporting local young people to move into work, training or volunteering.

“This welcoming, community-based space brings together personalised support – from CV writing and job applications to accredited training and wellbeing advice – helping young people build confidence and skills.

“By working with partners like Jobcentre Plus, we’re removing barriers and creating clear, positive pathways into employment for local young people.”

Since opening in May 2026, The Tower Hamlets Youth Hub has established itself as an exemplary Youth Hub, working with local stakeholder and partners to ensure a joined-up approach, bringing together access to mental health, wellbeing, employment and skills support for local young people.

Over the next three years, the Government is expanding its network of Youth Hubs to over 360 local areas across Great Britain. This will connect every 16-to-24-year-old across the country and provide themreal opportunities in their local area, ensuring each person has access to high-quality, wide-ranging support to move towards learning or earning.

Our new Youth Hubs will meet young people where they are, in football stadiums and community venues across Britain, giving them access to housing support, mental health help and a clear pathway into work or training, exactly as Alan Milburn recommended.

Youth Hubs are a key part of the £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee and come alongside changes to the Growth and Skills Levy which aim to refocus the skills system towards people at the start of their working life.

The government is also supporting businesses to hire young workers with a Youth Jobs Grant worth £3,000 for every 18- to 24-year-old hired who has been on Universal Credit for six months, while a £2,000 apprenticeship incentive is available for each new employee aged 16 to 24 taken on by a small business.

Ensuring every young person has the chance to earn or learn through the government’s Youth Guarantee and turning the tide on the nation’s high NEET rate is essential to driving the nation’s plan for growth.

The DWP will now work with local authorities and partner organisations to identify the best locations for the hubs.

Youth Hubs may open ahead of the roll out schedule detailed below subject to local readiness.

Hubs opened in Year One (since announcement in March 2026):

England

Wandsworth, Stockton-on-Tees, Bromley, Bracknell Forest, Guildford, Swindon, Crawley, Reigate and Banstead, Sefton, West Berkshire, Derby, Tower Hamlets, Thanet, Knowsley, Leicester.

Scotland

South Lanarkshire

Wales

Carmarthenshire (Llanelli), Rhondda Cynon Taf, Neath Port Talbot, Caerphilly.

Hubs scheduled to open in Year Two :

England:

Norwich, East Suffolk, Cannock Chase, Greenwich, Ashford, North Northamptonshire, East Staffordshire, Thurrock, North East Derbyshire, Rother, North Devon, Harlow, Maidstone, Lincoln, Bedford, Torridge, Chorley, Milton Keynes, Arun, North Warwickshire, Cheshire West and Chester, Dartford, Breckland, Gedling, East Riding of Yorkshire, High Peak, North Norfolk, South Holland, South Ribble, Somerset, North Somerset, Stevenage, Havering, Slough, Fylde, Melton, West Northamptonshire, Castle Point, Teignbridge, Stafford, Lancaster, South Derbyshire, Canterbury, South Kesteven, Lewes, Newcastle-under-Lyme, Cheshire East, Braintree, West Lancashire, Mid Devon, Colchester, North West Leicestershire, Redbridge, Hillingdon, Broxtowe, Bexley, Dacorum, Wychavon, Camden, Malvern Hills, South Staffordshire, Reading, Watford, North Yorkshire, Sutton, Southwark, Dorset, Rugby, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Tewkesbury, Merton, Kensington and Chelsea, Forest of Dean, Broxbourne.

Scotland

Angus, Inverclyde, Dumfries and Galloway, Midlothian, Scottish Borders, Highland, East Lothian, Argyll and Bute, Perth and Kinross, Moray

Wales

Vale of Glamorgan, Flintshire, Cardiff, Powys, Monmouthshire, Gwynedd

Hubs Schedules for Year Three:

England

Lichfield, New Forest, Hinckley and Bosworth, Rushmoor, West Suffolk, Hertsmere, Central Bedfordshire, Staffordshire Moorlands, North Kesteven, Cheltenham, Adur, Rochford, Wiltshire, South Norfolk, Chelmsford, Eastleigh, Huntingdonshire, Test Valley, Bromsgrove, Tonbridge and Malling, North Hertfordshire, Wealden, Welwyn Hatfield, Tunbridge Wells, Cherwell, East Devon, Mid Suffolk, Oadby and Wigston, Fareham, Broadland, Sevenoaks, York, Maldon, Exeter, Derbyshire Dales, Charnwood, Blaby, Vale of White Horse, Stroud, West Devon, Babergh, South Gloucestershire, Harrow, Bath and North East Somerset, East Cambridgeshire, Stratford-upon-Avon, West Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Epsom and Ewell, South Hams, Epping Forest, Chichester, Warwick, Runnymede, Tandridge, Winchester, Brentwood, Harborough, Three Rivers, East Hampshire, St Albans, Cotswold, Horsham, Cambridge, South Cambridgeshire, Rushcliffe, East Hertfordshire, Mid Sussex, Ribble Valley, South Oxfordshire, Wokingham, Kingston upon Thames, Richmond upon Thames, Uttlesford, Hart, Rutland, Waverley, City of London.

Scotland

Stirling, City of Edinburgh, Aberdeenshire, East Renfrewshire, East Dunbartonshire, Shetland Islands, Orkney Islands, Na h-Eileanan an Iar.

Wales

Ceredigion.

DWP: ‘Broken’ fit note system to be overhauled

Patients, employers and GPs are set to benefit from an overhaul of the broken fit note system following the launch of several pilots by the UK Government to reform the system for workers who fall ill

  • Radical overhaul of broken fit note system to be piloted so it works for patients, employers, and healthcare professionals.
  • Trials to be delivered through selected NHS WorkWell sites and major employers.
  • Comes as new report shows just 29% of primary care staff see issuing fit notes as a good use of GP time.

Patients, employers and GPs are set to benefit from an overhaul of the broken fit note system following the launch of several pilots by the Government today to reform the system for workers who fall ill.

The current system sees some 11 million fit notes issued every year, with more than nine in ten declaring the person ‘not fit for work’.

Four pilots, in different areas in England, will look at the best way to end this tick-box exercise which does not offer any support or guidance and replace it with personalised ‘stay in work’ and ‘return to work’ plans for workers who fall ill.

The pilots will cover up to 100,000 appointments and last up to a year, with continuous testing, in order to narrow down the most effective approach to tackling the inherited steep increase in number of fit notes issued.

Patients will be offered either an initial fit note from a GP and then referred to community health workers – or go through the whole process without an initial fit note from a GP, and will instead be supported by a separate service staffed by clinical and non-clinical practitioners.

They will provide a range of work and health support, including three-way conversations between patients, employers, and trained professionals – covering reasonable adjustments and keeping people connected to their workplace from the first day of absence, helping more people to stay in work with support.

It is the first step in the Government’s ambition for radical fit note reform – with pilot findings due to be shaped by patients, healthcare staff, and employers – before the Government brings forward legislation to further reform the ‘broken system’.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden, said: “Fit notes are too often a dead end – a piece of paper that tells people they can’t work but does nothing to help them get better.

“We’re changing that. By bringing employers, the NHS, and patients together we can help people recover faster, stay connected to their jobs, and get the economy firing on all cylinders.

“That’s what these pilots are about, and that’s what this Government is committed to – fixing what is broken.”

The launch comes as the Government publishes the Fit Note Call for Evidence which shows just three in 10 Healthcare Professionals in Primary Care say fit notes are a good use of GPs time, while six in 10 employers think the current process is ineffective at supporting their employees’ work and health needs.

Trials of a new approach was recommended by the former John Lewis chairman Sir Charlie Mayfield in his landmark Keep Britain Working Review into economic inactivity, which noted that the fit note system is “not working as intended” and had become a barrier to contact with employers.

Minister of State for Care Stephen Kinnock said: “Ever since I was appointed Minister of State for Care in July 2024, NHS staff have been telling me that the current fit note system isn’t working – not for patients, and not for the clinicians who sign them off.

“These pilots mark the beginning of the end for that broken system, giving people personalised support to get back into work and freeing up GPs from unnecessary admin so they can focus on what they do best: caring for their patients.

“This is what our 10 Year Health Plan is all about – earlier support, from the right people, in the right place.”

From July, the NHS will test new approaches through four existing WorkWell sites, backed by £3 million in the first year. The areas will test the following models:

  • Birmingham and Solihull – GPs issue the first fit note where needed, with all patients referred to a new support service led primarily by non-clinical staff, including social prescribers and work and health coaches
  • Coventry and Warwickshire – GPs issue the first fit note, with patients able to be referred to a support service made up of both clinical and non-clinical staff
  • Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly – GPs refer patients directly to a non-clinical support service, without issuing a fit note
  • Lancashire and South Cumbria – GPs refer patients to a support service made up of both clinical and non-clinical staff, without issuing a fit note.

BMA’s Practice Business policy lead for GPs committee England Dr Clare Bannon said: The BMA has contributed to the design of these pilots with DWP to overhaul the fit note system as we feel the current system is not working for GPs or patients.

“We welcome the opportunity to test how different models work and ensure the new process reduces unnecessary appointments for GPs, but most importantly provides support to patients.

“We will continue to input into the pilots to ensure they have appropriate occupational health support and do not inadvertently increase pressure on general practice or affect patient care. While we are supportive of this pilot, it must be underpinned by appropriate training, clinical oversight and clear governance.”

Professor Victoria Tzortziou Brown, President of the Royal College of GPs, said: “GPs take our responsibility to appropriately issue fit notes seriously, but the current system can involve significant administrative work that takes time away from patient care.

“We are open to exploring evidence-based reforms that could help improve outcomes for patients. However, any reform of the fit note process must put the health and wellbeing of patients first, be fully resourced and avoid creating additional workload for general practice.

“As such we look forward to seeing a comprehensive evaluation of this pilot.”

The Government is also confirming local funding allocations for WorkWell – the proven health-and-employment service through which the NHS-based fit note pilots will be delivered – as the programme expands nationally to support up to 250,000 people with a disability or health condition to get into or stay in work.

WorkWell is a local, health-led service connecting NHS, council and community support to keep people in work and help them return quickly if they don’t.

It comes as part of the Government’s wider £3.5 billion employment support package which meets sick and disabled people where they are, and builds on recent changes including the right for people on benefits to try work without fear of immediate reassessment, and the redeployment of 1,000 Pathways to Work advisers who are supporting those left behind by the previous Government.

Those who need time off to recover will still get it, with the Government’s Statutory Sick Pay reforms meaning employees receive support from day one of sickness absence, putting an extra £400 million a year into people’s pockets.

Alongside the NHS pilots, Keep Britain Working Vanguard businesses – including EDF Energy – will work out how employers can play a practical role in preventing absence where possible, and supporting safe, swift returns when it does occur.

Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices, said: “The current tick-box system for fit notes isn’t working for anyone, particularly patients. It makes people who are unwell jump through unnecessary admin hoops, and yet the process rarely offers people the support they need to get well and manage their conditions long-term.

The Department for Work and Pensions is absolutely right to test out new ways of supporting those who are signed off, and it is vital that patients are fully involved in that testing process, able to feed back over what works and what doesn’t. This is the only way to reliably avoid unintended consequences and create a system that actually helps both those who can’t work and those who would be able to with the appropriate support.”

“Ultimately the goal has to be about focusing on improving people’s health and getting them well, this is the hallmark of a compassionate state. In the end, investing in this approach will also pay dividends in terms of more people feeling able to work and being able to enjoy all the positives that come as a result.”

Nottingham GP Dr Sanjoy Kumar said: “I am really pleased the government is looking seriously at new approaches to fit notes, a change which is urgently needed.

“As a GP for over 25 years, I know how much of our clinical time is taken up with issuing these, which for many patients is not the right approach.”

Dr Steve Taylor GP Co-Lead Doctors Association UK said: “The Doctors Association UK has been involved in discussions over the past few months with the Department of Work and Pensions around Fit Note reform.

“These discussions were broad and included many groups: GPs, employers, patients and occupational health. We agree that the current system of fit-notes isn’t working well for patients, GPs and employers. It often lacks the nuance to deal with specific work situations and reasons that people have for not being able to work their full or part of their role.

“We hope these pilots will give the opportunity to explore a different way for people to engage with the periods of ill health and ways to make work more accessible and achievable. This recognises that GPs aren’t always best equipped to understand the options for work and we hope that active engagement between patients, GPs, employers and this new service will provide a better experience for everyone.

“It is important that no one is forced to work who cannot, but it is also important that those who can, should be encouraged and given options to work. This could be a great improvement and we look forward to seeing the outcomes from these 4 pilots.”

Chief Policy & Campaigns Officer John Foster at Confederation of British Industry said: “The fit note system is broken and fails employers, workers, and the economy. Business welcomes these pilots. They are an important step towards building a better system.

“Employers have increased their investment in supporting employee health and wellbeing and hope that these pilots will direct efforts to interventions that have the greatest impact.

“An improved system also needs to restore employers’ confidence that absence from work is only recommended when it is justified.”

Professor Neil Greenberg, the Society of Occupational Medicine said: “The Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) welcomes DWP’s proposed fit note pilots, particularly the workability plan. The current fit note system is not working. Too many people who could potentially be supported to stay and return to work are not.

“The fit note reform offers clear benefits for employees, employers, and the NHS. SOM anticipate the pilots will generate useful data to improve how fit notes will support employees, alleviate GP pressures and help bridge the gap between employers and employees.

“SOM will be interested to see if the pilots will support better health outcomes through reduced absenteeism, and improved retention. SOM looks forward to working with the DWP to achieve a better fit note system.”

Charlotte Osborn-Forde, Chief Executive of The National Academy for Social Prescribing: “We are pleased that social prescribers – also known as link workers – will play a part in the fit note pilots.

“Link workers can support people with social issues that affect their health, including loneliness, isolation and problems with debt or housing.

“They focus on what matters to people and connect them to community-based support – including advice on money or housing, carers’ support, physical activity groups or local activities. There is strong evidence that this approach can benefit wellbeing and mental health.

“No one who is unable to work should be pressured into doing so, but this voluntary scheme should help join the dots between the NHS, employers and communities, and help people get the right support for wider issues that affect their health.”

Head of Policy and Practice at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Joe Brunwin, said: “These pilots are a real chance to help more people stay in or return to work and are centred around a core skill of occupational therapy: understanding people as individuals and considering how their environment and circumstances affect their ability to work.

“Fit note evaluations and pilots show occupational therapists are more likely to take a work-focused approach, using ‘may be fit’ advice and adjustments to support return to work. As well as signing fit notes occupational therapists can provide clinical supervision and governance for non-clinical staff.

“It’s encouraging to see a shift away from a purely medical approach to work absence, towards taking a more holistic approach.

“We look forward to seeing how this initiative makes use of occupational therapy expertise and how we can continue to work together as part of a multidisciplinary team, supporting people to stay in, return to and thrive in work.”

Charities call for end of rule locking 70,000 pensioners out of vital financial support

National charity Independent Age and 12 other organisations1 have teamed up to send an open letter to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden, calling for an end to the mixed age couples rule. 

The rule, introduced in 2019, could be preventing around 70,000 low-income couples from receiving entitlements specifically for older people until they bothreach State Pension age, leaving affected couples up to £7,000 worse off a year.

As well as the range of organisations calling for change, new polling from Independent Age shows that a large majority of the UK public back ending the rule, with 62% saying that couples where one person is over State Pension age should receive pension-age entitlements2.

Together the organisations are urging the UK Government to reverse the mixed-age couples rule, to allow couples to claim pensioner benefits, like Pension Credit, once the older partner reaches State Pension age.

Data from 2019 shows that 12% of couples who could be eligible for Pension Credit have an age gap of more than 10 years, meaning the older partner may have to wait an extremely long time to access pensioner entitlements, adding to their financial strain. While couples in this situation are eligible to receive Universal Credit, this is paid at a lower rate and is not designed to meet the needs of people over State Pension Age.

In the letter the organisations say the issue is urgent:

‘Nobody should be punished financially because of who they love. Yet as many as 70,000 older people are missing out on the financial safety net designed to protect pensioners, just because of their partner’s age. 

‘This is urgent. With the incoming rise in State Pension age, more and more couples on a low income will face an even longer wait to receive the entitlements they need due to the mixed-age couples rule.’

Independent Age Chief Executive, Joanna Elson CBE said: “Every day we hear from older people struggling to make ends meet, and for thousands of mixed-age couples the system is making that struggle even harder.

“This rule is unfairly locking around 70,000 older people out of vital pension-age support simply because their partner is younger.

“The UK Government has created a flawed system where two people of the same age can be treated completely differently depending on who they love. The financial support they are missing out on could be the difference between heating and eating or paying the rent.

“Twelve organisations have joined us in calling on the UK Government to act now and scrap the mixed-age couples rule, to ensure all older people on a low income get the financial security and dignity they deserve once they reach pension age.”

In the letter the organisations also express concern over ‘the assumption that all younger partners are able to be financially responsible for their household’ and how this ‘does not reflect reality for many couples. In lots of cases, a younger partner will have health conditions or unpaid caring responsibilities that could mean they are unable to work.’

Lynn, 62, and her husband David from Eastbourne have a five-year age gap and have been unable to access the support they need as a result: She said: “David and I met on a blind date. We’ve been married for nearly 24 years.

“Although David is my full-time carer, we’ve had a hard time getting any financial support because he’s five years older than me. We used to receive Employment and Support Allowance, but once my husband reached State Pension age, it stopped.

“David and I trudged around four different places, including the council, to try and find out what we were entitled to and we were told we could claim Pension Credit. But after seven months of receiving Pension Credit, we got a letter saying there had been a mistake and we weren’t entitled to it because we are a mixed-age couple. We were told to apply for Universal Credit instead.

“All this happened when we were in the middle of moving house and our Pension Credit payment was due. I remember thinking: Now what are we going to do? and being so worried as we literally had no money for our move. We just couldn’t understand why we were told we were eligible to claim Pension Credit and then the payments were suddenly stopped.

“For the first time ever, we had to turn to a food bank to get by. If it wasn’t for our children, I don’t know what we’d have done. They helped us get through this very stressful time in our lives.”

Jan Shortt, General Secretary, National Pensioners Convention said: “To treat people differently on the basis of who they fall in love with is nonsense. 

“Mixed age couples are suffering financially because they cannot access the support they need.  Decisions made by the government penalise mixed age couples and this must be addressed to enable them to be financially secure in the future.”

The organisations who have signed the letter alongside Independent Age are:

Age Scotland

Ageing Without Children (AWOC)

Age UK

Civil Service Pensioners Alliance

National Federation of Occupational Pensioners

Northern Irish Commissioner

National Pensioners Convention (NPC)

Re-engage

Unison Retired Members

National Association of Retired Police Officers (NARPO)

Welsh Older People’s Commissioner

Wise Age

For more information on Independent Age’s mixed aged couples campaign, see: 

Mixed-age couples locked out of vital support | Independent Age

DWP ‘puts disabled people first’: Thousands of health staff complete landmark autism and learning disabilities training

Training tackles harmful assumptions about disability and ensures staff make practical, meaningful adjustments for the people they serve

  • Thousands of DWP healthcare professionals completed Oliver McGowan training to better support autistic people and those with learning disabilities as they navigate the benefits system.
  • Marking Autism Awareness Month, the milestone forms part of the Government’s broader commitment to putting disabled people at its heart.  

Over 4,000 DWP healthcare professionals have completed part of training designed to transform how the government supports autistic people and those with learning disabilities, as Autism Awareness Month draws to a close.

The training is named after Oliver McGowan, a young man with autism and a learning disability who died in 2016 after being given antipsychotic medication against his and his family’s wishes. It was established following a campaign by his family to ensure that staff working with autistic people and those with learning disabilities have the knowledge and skills to support them safely.

The accomplishment is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to putting disabled people at the heart of everything it does.

The training tackles “diagnostic overshadowing” – where symptoms are wrongly attributed to a person’s disability rather than investigated properly – ensuring people receive the right support at the right time.

It also gives staff practical tools to make meaningful reasonable adjustments for people with learning disabilities and autism as they navigate the benefits system. These include:

  • More time in assessments, reducing anxiety and allowing people to communicate clearly and confidently.
  • Simpler, clearer communications from Jobcentres, making information accessible to people who may find complex language difficult to process.
  • Sensory-aware Jobcentre environments, ensuring spaces feel safe and manageable for people who may find busy or loud environments overwhelming.

Minister for Social Security and Disability, Sir Stephen Timms, said: Oliver McGowan’s story is a powerful reminder of why services must understand the people they serve.

“This training is part of how we achieve that, equipping our staff to treat every autistic person and everyone with a learning disability as an individual, and to provide support that genuinely works for them.

“We’re determined to break down barriers for disabled people, and to put autistic people and those with learning disabilities at the very heart of our decisions and direction.

“I pay tribute to the hard and brave work of the McGowan family in Oliver’s memory.”

This milestone is part of the Government’s wider commitment to ensuring disabled people’s voices and lived experience shape policy. 

The Independent Disability Advisory Panel – ten experts with lived experience of disability and long-term health conditions – have been appointed to advise on the design and delivery of health and disability policy. 

Clinical Author at DWP: “Hearing directly from people with lived experience made this training memorable and practical. It reinforced that autism and learning disability affect people in very different ways, and that taking time to listen- to the individual, and to those who know them best – makes a real difference. 

“These principles are now reflected in the guidance I develop for health professionals carrying out assessments on behalf of across DWP. 

“I believe this training helps support safer, more person-centred assessments and helps us get it right for autistic people and people with a learning disability.”

The training is one part of wider support the Department is investing into better support people with autism. 

Earlier this year, DWP funded Acas to deliver free neurodivergence masterclasses for small and medium-sized employers – with more than 1,800 employer representatives attended, building the knowledge and confidence to recruit and support neurodivergent staff effectively.

Alongside this, the Government also legislated to give benefit claimants the legal right to try work without the immediate risk of losing their benefits – a significant and practical change for neurodivergent people navigating the employment system. 

Separately, an expert academic panel has examined the specific barriers neurodivergent people face in the workplace, with its recommendations under active consideration.

Autism Awareness Month serves as an important moment to reflect on progress, and to reaffirm this Government’s determination to ensure autistic people and those with learning disabilities are supported, heard, and treated with the respect they deserve.

Jon Sparkes, OBE, Chief Executive of learning disability Mencap, said: “Increasing benefit assessors’ understanding of learning disability is an important step towards a more accessible and inclusive benefits system. The training they’ve received has the potential to make a real difference in helping them to communicate more clearly, recognise individual needs and make reasonable adjustments. 

“People with a learning disability need to be properly understood and receive the level of support that’s right for them to navigate the benefits assessment process. 

“This training is already making a difference in health and social care teams, and we hope it will now make another public service more accessible to people with a learning disability so that they can live their lives to the full.”

The Oliver McGowan Training is named after Oliver McGowan, whose death in 2016 was found to be potentially avoidable. His mother Paula McGowan OBE campaigned for it to become law under the Health and Care Act 2022.

Major boost for young people with 80 new Youth Hubs

SPFL Trust partners with DWP

Young people are set to benefit from expanded employment support through a further 80 new Youth Hubs as the Government continues to provide opportunity across the UK.

  • 80 new Youth Hub locations confirmed across Great Britain.
  • Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) Trust partners with DWP to support Britain’s Youth Hubs – taking jobs and opportunity straight to the heart of communities.
  • Expansion builds on commitment for every local area across Great Britain to have a Youth Hub.
  • Work with wider stakeholders – including the English Premier League – ongoing, to give every young person access to support locally.

Young people are set to benefit from expanded employment support through a further 80 new Youth Hubs as the Government continues to provide opportunity across the country.

Youth Hubs bring together Jobcentre Plus, local authority services, employers and training providers under one roof to support young people aged 16 to 24.

As part of this expansion, every Youth Hub will meet a set of minimum standards, ensuring young people can access on-site jobcentre support alongside mental health and housing support, skills and training opportunities, careers guidance and direct connections to employers with live job and apprenticeship opportunities.

The expansion is the latest step towards bringing Youth Hubs to every area in Great Britain to establish a national network and address the almost one million young people not earning or learning – a rise of 248,000 between 2021 to 2024 – so that every young person can progress wherever they live.

To mark the expansion, the Work and Pensions Secretary opened Scotland’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair in Glasgow’s iconic Concert Hall, bringing employers, training providers and support services together to connect young people with jobs, skills and opportunities in the area.

Over 2,400 young people looking for work met leading employers including Scottish Power, HSBC, Barclays, Police Scotland, the Army, Royal Air Force, NHS24, Kier Construction and the Scottish Professional Football League Trust.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Today marks a major boost for young people with 80 new Youth Hubs and Scotland’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair driving opportunity.

“We are delivering support in every region, connecting young people with employers, and meeting them where they are so they can move into work, as we reform the welfare state into a working state.

“This is about breaking down barriers, opening doors and ensuring every young person can earn or learn, wherever they live.”

The Scottish Professional Football League Trust will partner with DWP to deliver Youth Hubs across Scotland, as the Government continues its drive to deliver support to young people where they are.

This builds on work across England, where Premier League is working with DWP to support the Youth Guarantee and help young people access jobs, training and support.

Nicky Reid, SPFL Trust Chief Executive, said: “We’re extremely proud to have been chosen to deliver these vital Youth Hubs in partnership with the DWP across the country.

“Football clubs and their associated community trusts are places where many young people feel a strong sense of connection, making them a natural fit for this programme.

“These initiatives will play a crucial role in helping participants access the training and support they need to take the next step in their careers or education.”

Youth Hubs will be expanded to over 360 areas across Great Britain over the next three years, from Manchester and Salford to Dundee and Newport.

The 80 new Hubs are launching across Scotland, Wales and England with delivery already well under way and the expansion seeing Youth Hubs open from November 2025.

Today’s announcement is part of the £2.5 billion investment in the Youth Guarantee and changes to the Growth and Skills Levy to prioritise young apprentices, which together create 200,000 jobs and apprenticeship opportunities.

This includes a Youth Jobs Grant worth £3,000 for employers for every young person they hire aged 18-24 who has been on UC for six months, an expanded Jobs Guarantee for 18-to-24-year-olds, and new foundation apprenticeships in key sectors.

These commitments come alongside the government’s expansion of its innovative ‘Pathfinder’ programme to Nottingham and the North East, following early success in Wakefield. Like the Youth Hub model, Pathfinders bring together local councils, mayors and health teams and partners to design employment support that reflects the specific needs, employers and job markets in each community.

The Pathfinder programme forms part of the government’s broader ambition to move away from a one-size-fits-all approach to employment support, providing personalised, practical help to people before they reach crisis point.

These steps ‘show the Government’s commitment to ensuring every young person has the opportunity to earn or learn’.

Mobile Jobcentres hit the road in six new areas to deliver employment support

Jobseekers are to benefit from the roll-out of mobile jobs vans across Great Britain – outside leisure centres, supermarkets and even football stadiums

  • New vans rolling out to six additional areas across England and Wales as part of major employment reforms.
  • Jobcentre on Wheels service puts expert support at heart of the local community – slashing barriers by coming directly to people while they do their weekly shop or see their local team play football.
  • Roll out is part of wider government plans to Get Britain Working and comes after successful pilot saw over 1,600 people supported.

Jobseekers are to benefit from the roll-out of mobile jobs vans across Great Britain – appearing outside leisure centres, supermarkets and even football stadiums.

Following hugely successful pilots in the Scottish Highlands, North and Mid Wales and Greater Manchester, the number of Jobcentres on Wheels will triple, providing enhanced support in six new areas, with a view to explore rolling out the scheme more extensively after testing its impact.

The vans will take jobcentre staff on the road to communities with some of the highest rates of unemployment where support is needed most. Vans will park up outside family hubs, leisure centres, supermarkets, local events and football matches to make taking that first step towards work as easy as possible.

Once on board, people can meet with one of the DWP’s experienced work coaches who will who offer expert support with job searching and training opportunities.

They can also provide information to those with health conditions or disabilities and for accessing childcare costs.

As well as existing customers, the service is open and accessible to all members of the public and forms part of the government’s wider plans to Get Britain Working, kickstart economic growth and give more opportunities for people to get on in their career.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “We want to break down the barriers that stop people from finding good work, and that means meeting people where they are.

“Jobcentres on Wheels are doing exactly that – bringing employment support into the heart of communities.

“That’s why we’re building on the success we’ve already seen, expanding the service so we can unlock opportunities for even more people across the country.”

The areas the vans will now be extended to are Wakefield, North Nottinghamshire, Barrow-in-Furness, Blackpool, Clevedon and Rhondda Cynon Taf/Bridgend.

To mark the roll out, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visited the Bolton Mobile Jobcentre which was stationed outside Horwich Leisure Centre.

The Bolton Mobile Jobcentre, which was first launched in January 2025 has already supported nearly 800 customers – many of whom had never set foot into a jobcentre. Bolton has one of the highest inactivity rates in the North West, at 29.2% compared to the national average of 20.8%.

It has parked in a range of spaces including Bolton Wanderers’ football stadium on match days, Horwich Leisure Centre, family hubs and community centres, reaching those who might not otherwise access a traditional Jobcentre.

Data shows that just over half of customers visiting the vans are not in receipt of benefits, demonstrating the service is reaching many economically inactive people who may not engage with traditional jobcentres.

For example, in Bolton, a customer with health conditions walked onto the van looking for work. Within one visit, staff found him job leads, referred him to digital support, and connected him with training. The customer said this support was something he would never have thought to look for at a traditional Jobcentre.

Ben Lawton, CEO of Bolton Wanderers in the Community, said: “Here at BWitC we understand the drivers behind the increase in the number of young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET).

“The relational, holistic, community-based support delivered in trusted settings support those in our community facing these challenges.

“Working alongside Bolton Jobcentre and their Jobcentre Van is key to our Vision of One Bolton Connected in Success.”

The mobile Jobcentres will now operate in nine areas across England, Scotland and Wales, covering a mix of urban, rural, coastal and post-industrial communities. Trebling the Department’s mobile fleet will ensure the service reaches those who may face barriers accessing traditional jobcentres across Great Britain as a whole.

The initiative is part of the government’s commitment to reforming employment services and helping more people overcome barriers to work, including health conditions and caring responsibilities.

It is part of a major programme of reform as a test and learn approach which includes transforming Jobcentres and creating a new national jobs and careers service, backed by £55m as well as launching a new digital offer to deliver a transformative new service that will give anyone access to DWP support wherever they are.

UK Government promises major skills boost from ‘fast-track’ apprenticeship reforms

Young people will be given a quicker route into high-quality jobs on major projects as the Government slashes red tape to fast-track the process  

  • Faster approval process to update apprenticeships and develop short courses to address urgent skills needs in major projects
  • Reforms come ahead of National Apprenticeship Week to help young people move into high-quality jobs faster while turbocharging growth 
  • Bureaucracy tackled to cut apprenticeship approval times from 18 months to as little as three months as government continues drive to help more young people onto apprenticeships   

Young people will be given a quicker route into high-quality jobs on major projects as the Government slashes red tape to fast-track the process.  

As industries evolve, so must the training that prepares people to work in them. Whether it’s new safety standards on building sites or the skills needed to construct and operate the latest offshore wind turbines, apprenticeships need to keep pace.

A new accelerated approach will mean updates to training or development of new short courses can be completed in as little as three months, ensuring the workforce is ready to deliver the major projects that will drive growth.

This forms as part of the Growth and Skills Levy reforms, delivering 50,000 more apprenticeships for young people backed by £725 million funding. These measures will play an integral role towards the Government’s ambition to get two-thirds of young people into higher-level learning or apprenticeships.

The offer will help companies meet their business needs more quickly, while reflecting the Government’s consultation on ensuring companies bidding for major infrastructure contracts contributes to high-quality jobs, skills and apprenticeships. It reinforces the Government’s expectation that investment in workforce development should go hand in hand with delivering major projects and driving growth.

To mark the start of National Apprenticeship Week, Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden visited Cammell Laird shipyard in Birkenhead, to see first-hand how apprenticeships are delivering skilled jobs in advanced manufacturing and engineering. 

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “Britain’s future depends on getting more young people into good jobs with real prospects. These reforms will slash bureaucracy so we can train people faster in the industries where they’re needed most.

“At Cammell Laird, I’ve seen how apprenticeships are delivering the skilled workforce our country needs — from shipbuilding to advanced manufacturing. We’re building on that success with our additional £725 million Growth and Skills Levy investment to create 50,000 new apprenticeships. 

 ”We need to give more young people a faster route into secure, well-paid work by ensuring British businesses have the talent they need to grow.” 

The latest reforms come as the government ramps up support for young people to take up apprenticeships, including through a recent major £725 million investment to pivot the system towards the workforce of the future. 

They will make the process more agile and responsive to employers’ needs and allow training to be delivered more quickly where employers need skills most. 

As part of the new Major Investment and Infrastructure Service, this will support the delivery of major infrastructure and private investment projects from Northern Powerhouse Rail to new energetic materials factories for UK defence and ensure local people have pathways into new jobs. 

The system will use occupational experts to meet specific needs and will focus on making quick revisions to existing standards, for example updating construction standards in the light of regulatory changes following Grenfell. 

During the visit, the Secretary of State met apprentices working on one of the largest apprenticeship programmes in the UK maritime industry, and visited the local Engineering College, which trains over 100 apprentices a year in partnership with Cammel Laird.  

Cammell Laird is a major UK shipbuilder employing hundreds of apprentices across Merseyside, working closely with local education providers to train the next generation of engineers, welders and project managers. 

David McGinley, Chief Executive Officer of APCL Group said: “APCL Cammell Laird was delighted to welcome the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Pat McFadden to its facility ahead of National Apprenticeship Week.

“The Secretary of State’s visit provided APCL with the platform to demonstrate the importance of our award-winning apprenticeship programme to the UK’s industrial capability.

“Our Group is currently supporting over 270 young people in their training across the UK.  APCL Cammell Laird and the wider APCL Group’s shipbuilding and ship repair capability is underpinned by our apprenticeship programme which continues to deliver the next generations of shipbuilders and engineers.

“The ongoing success of our apprenticeship programme is vital if we are to ensure that the UK retains its shipbuilding strength. APCL remains deeply committed to this scheme.”

The new accelerated approach will allow government to move faster where demand is highest, delivering priority updates to apprenticeships more quickly,  while maintaining quality standards — supporting sectors critical to growth, productivity and national infrastructure. 

The announcement comes ahead of the 19th annual National Apprenticeship Week, which focuses on Skills for life. 

Recent reforms to the Growth and Skills Levy will deliver more apprenticeships for young people and help match skills training with local job opportunities. 

The reforms will support 50,000 new apprenticeships, helping more young people move quickly into secure, well-paid work while supporting employers to grow.  

Employers and training providers are encouraged to engage with Skills England and the Department for Work and Pensions to help shape accelerated apprenticeships, and to make use of the Growth and Skills Levy to invest in their future workforce. 

Youth Guarantee gets blockbuster backing to drive support for TV and film jobs

Young people are set to benefit from TV and film industry support for the Government’s Youth Guarantee

  • Pinewood Studios, Europe’s leading studio complex and home to James Bond and the Carry On films, is supporting the Government’s Youth Guarantee.
  • Industry leaders including Netflix, Disney and Vue International met Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden at Pinewood Studios to discuss how they can support more young people into creative roles.
  • More than 4,500 young people attended Pinewood Group’s “Futures Festival” event – Britain’s biggest TV and film careers event.

Young people are set to benefit from TV and film industry support for the Government’s Youth Guarantee.

Pat McFadden co-chaired a roundtable with Pinewood Studios at the largest free film and TV careers event in the UK yesterday, attended by industry leaders including Disney, Vue International and Amazon MGM Studios.

Pinewood’s annual Futures Festival showcased the range of careers available in film and television to young people, and employers and industry professionals spoke to attendees about the routes available into the sector.

The Work and Pensions Secretary heard how industry leaders are already increasing opportunities in the sector for young people and called on the industry to back the Government’s Youth Guarantee, which provides a guaranteed job, work experience or training to all 18-to-21-year olds.

Production spending in the UK is booming having reached £5.6 billion in 2024, a 31 percent increase on the previous year, highlighting emerging work and training opportunities for young people. However, there remains a skills gap in the sector. By supporting young people into work, the sector will help close that gap and ensure the UK maintains its position as a world leading hub for film and television production.

Pinewood Group, incorporating Pinewood and Shepperton Studios in the UK, has been pioneering youth training through its ‘Behind the Screen’ programme. Delivered in collaboration with Jobcentre Plus, the scheme supports people currently out of work by offering paid six‑month placements that provide hands-on experience and a first step into the film and TV industry.

As the latest Youth Guarantee Supporter, Pinewood’s helping to realise the Government’s pledge to ensure all young people have the opportunity to earn or learn.

Another supporter of the Youth Guarantee is All Spring Media, who provide skills bootcamps and training programmes to ensure young creatives have the experience and confidence they need to pursue their chosen career.

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden said: “With almost a million young people not in education, employment or training, we need to create pathways of opportunity and help them build careers.

“Today’s festival has shown what’s possible when government and industry work together.

“Apprenticeships benefit everyone – young people gain skills and experience, while employers gain fresh talent and new perspectives. The Behind the Screen programme is a great example of this in action, helping young people break into an industry that can otherwise feel out of reach.

“I’m delighted that Pinewood is backing our Youth Guarantee. I’m calling on other employers across the creative industries to follow their lead and open their doors to the next generation of talent.

The Work and Pensions Secretary met with trainees from the ‘Behind the Screen’ programme to hear about the training they are receiving to start their creative career.

Andrew Smith, Corporate Affairs Director of Pinewood Group said: “Pinewood Group is committed to opening doors and creating accessible pathways into the industry.

“Our well-established ‘Behind the Screen’ programme offers paid, hands‑on placements for those out of work, while our annual Pinewood Futures Festival continues to inspire and engage the next generation of industry talent.”

Sara Whybrew, Director of Skills and Workforce Development, British Film Institute, said: “For the next generation to thrive, we must level the playing field across the UK especially for those who may lack the support needed to access work on their doorstep.

“Our UK-wide skills programmes for young people – from sector specific careers advice in schools, our UK-wide Film Academy programme, through to paid work placements on studio productions and onto a range of career progression pathways – are designed to address inequalities and prioritise opening up opportunities to those currently underrepresented in the screen sector’s workforce.

“We look forward to working with DWP and our industry colleagues to enable the screen sector to play a role in supporting the ambitions of the Youth Guarantee.”

Mia, trainee from the ‘Behind the Screen’ programme: “Pinewoods Behind the Screen Programme was a fantastic opportunity to become part of a supportive community and expand my network within film.

“The programme opened doors and formed a great stepping stone into my current role at Imaginarium Studios.”

Pinewood Studios join other high-profile Youth Guarantee partners including the Premier League, EFL in the Community, Royal Shakespeare Company and Channel 4.

This is the latest step in the Government’s work to boost opportunity to support young people into employment or training.

An £820 million investment in the Youth Guarantee to support almost one million young people will create 350,000 new training and workplaces, 55,000 guaranteed jobs for the long-term unemployed, over 360 youth hubs across Great Britain.

We have also launched a major investigation spearheaded by Alan Milburn which will investigate the barriers preventing young people from accessing work.

This builds on the work of DCMS’ creative careers campaign, which aims to improve access to young people from underrepresented communities outside London in these high growth sectors.

The Government is also seeking to grow the sectors through our Creative Industries Sector Plan, which is providing £380 million of targeted investment to ensure they can continue to grow.

‘Broken’ careers service funding model to be reformed, UK Government confirms

‘just one meeting between jobseekers and advisors a year is like trying to fill an ocean with a teaspoon‘

Funding for careers advisors will be reformed, the UK Government has confirmed, following criticism of the current model in a report by a cross-party Committee of MPs.

Westminster’s Work and Pensions Committee’s Creating a new jobs and careers service report said that a combination of poor funding and badly designed targets had led to the service spending too little time with people and focusing too much on low impact interventions.

In its response to the report, the Government said that bringing “careers advice in England in house will end the current incentivised model and enable the development of a more integrated service”.

Careers advice in the UK is devolved, so these changes will not automatically apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The Government also agreed with the Committee on the importance of recognising the distinct roles of work coaches and careers advisors. It added that it was looking into a “dedicated training pathway” for advisors in addition to the planned Coaching Academy for work coaches.  

MPs on the Committee made their recommendation following fears that the planned Jobcentre-careers service merger would eliminate the distinction between Work Coaches and Careers Advisors, which they thought would reduce the effectiveness of the service.

The DWP also committed to providing certainty to staff at the National Careers Service by publishing a transition plan in the next 6 months. Since publication of the report, the Government has moved to bring the contracts for careers advisors in-house, sparking concerns among advisors over what will happen when their contracts run out on 30 September 2026. 

Committee Chair, Debbie Abrahams said, “We welcome the Government’s recognition that the careers service funding model was broken and that it must be reformed.

“Budgeting, as it does now, for just one meeting between jobseekers and advisors a year is like trying to fill an ocean with a teaspoon.

“The job is about finding out enough about people, their ambitions and interests, their skills, the barriers they face, what drives them, their needs, in order for them to be effective. A new, less exclusive, model would help meet the goals of Government and get people into work that suits them; benefitting jobseekers, employers and ultimately, the economy.

“The recent brief shake-up will help. Giving the DWP sole responsibility over the adult skills brief, instead of sharing with the Department for Education, should help to reduce the incoherent patchwork of services that are available. And bringing the careers service in house, rather than outsourcing, will in time provide clearer lines of accountability, and greater efficiency.

“But we have to recognise that pressing on with little detail on what will happen after current contracts end in September 2026 has caused significant worry among careers advisors. Certainty on this could be the solid foundation that ensures the new system gets off to the best start.

“So, the Government really needs to crack on with fleshing out the detail of the service from 2027 to boost the confidence of advisors and in the new system.”