PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
(28 August 2026)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps this Department is taking to encourage small and medium-sized enterprises to hire young people following increases in employer National Insurance contributions.

Asked by:
Alex Brewer (Liberal Democrat)

With around one million young people not in education, employment and training, this Government will not leave an entire generation of young people behind. By 2029, this Government will have invested an additional £2.5 billion through the Youth Guarantee and Growth and Skills Levy.

This investment will encourage employers to take on new talent and create up to 200,000 opportunities for work through a £3,000 Youth Jobs Grant and £2,000 apprenticeship hiring payment for employers, and a fully funded six month job for long-term unemployed 18–24-year-olds.

Employers are also not required to pay Employer National Insurance Contributions for employees under-21 and for under-25 apprentices, on earnings up to £50,270.

Answered by:
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