Written questions by Morris.

What steps the Department is taking to reduce youth economic inactivity in the North East.

The Government is investing in young people’s futures. At the Budget, we announced more than £1.5 billion of investment over the next three years, funding £820 million for the Youth Guarantee to support young people to earn or learn, and an additional £725 million for the Growth and Skills Levy. Through the expanded Youth Guarantee, young people aged 16-24 across Great Britain are set to benefit from further support into employment and learning, including: Support to find a job: through a new Youth Guarantee Gateway, which over the next three years will offer nearly 900,000 16–24-year-olds a dedicated session, followed by four weeks of additional intensive support with a Work Coach Further expansion of Youth Hubs: We are expanding our network of Youth Hubs to over 360 locations so that all young people – including those not on benefits – can access opportunities and wider support in every local area of Great Britain c300,000 additional opportunities for workplace experience and training Guaranteeing jobs: For long-term unemployed 18–21-year-olds on Universal Credit, the Jobs Guarantee scheme will provide six months of paid employment. In Hexham, there is a strong network of supportive employers who are providing work experience opportunities. This hands-on experience is invaluable for young people as they navigate their career paths. There is also a well-established partnership with the Newcastle United Foundation (NUF) who is one of the biggest providers of training and skills in the area, running courses focused on employability, confidence building and teamwork.In the North East and Northumberland, Jobcentres collaborate with local authorities, colleges, and partners to support young people through targeted programmes. These include Durham Works, helping 16–24-year-olds not in education, employment or training; the Pre-Employability Sports Programme, which builds essential skills through sports and workshops; and Club Elevate, supporting 16–25-year-olds in North Tyneside who face challenges such as poor mental health, substance misuse, or risk of anti-social behaviour.

What steps the Department is taking to reduce youth economic inactivity in Hexham constituency.

The Government is investing in young people’s futures. At the Budget, we announced more than £1.5 billion of investment over the next three years, funding £820 million for the Youth Guarantee to support young people to earn or learn, and an additional £725 million for the Growth and Skills Levy. Through the expanded Youth Guarantee, young people aged 16-24 across Great Britain are set to benefit from further support into employment and learning, including: Support to find a job: through a new Youth Guarantee Gateway, which over the next three years will offer nearly 900,000 16–24-year-olds a dedicated session, followed by four weeks of additional intensive support with a Work Coach Further expansion of Youth Hubs: We are expanding our network of Youth Hubs to over 360 locations so that all young people – including those not on benefits – can access opportunities and wider support in every local area of Great Britain c300,000 additional opportunities for workplace experience and training Guaranteeing jobs: For long-term unemployed 18–21-year-olds on Universal Credit, the Jobs Guarantee scheme will provide six months of paid employment. In Hexham, there is a strong network of supportive employers who are providing work experience opportunities. This hands-on experience is invaluable for young people as they navigate their career paths. There is also a well-established partnership with the Newcastle United Foundation (NUF) who is one of the biggest providers of training and skills in the area, running courses focused on employability, confidence building and teamwork.In the North East and Northumberland, Jobcentres collaborate with local authorities, colleges, and partners to support young people through targeted programmes. These include Durham Works, helping 16–24-year-olds not in education, employment or training; the Pre-Employability Sports Programme, which builds essential skills through sports and workshops; and Club Elevate, supporting 16–25-year-olds in North Tyneside who face challenges such as poor mental health, substance misuse, or risk of anti-social behaviour.

What steps the Department is taking to reduce youth economic inactivity in Northumberland.

The Government is investing in young people’s futures. At the Budget, we announced more than £1.5 billion of investment over the next three years, funding £820 million for the Youth Guarantee to support young people to earn or learn, and an additional £725 million for the Growth and Skills Levy. Through the expanded Youth Guarantee, young people aged 16-24 across Great Britain are set to benefit from further support into employment and learning, including: Support to find a job: through a new Youth Guarantee Gateway, which over the next three years will offer nearly 900,000 16–24-year-olds a dedicated session, followed by four weeks of additional intensive support with a Work Coach Further expansion of Youth Hubs: We are expanding our network of Youth Hubs to over 360 locations so that all young people – including those not on benefits – can access opportunities and wider support in every local area of Great Britain c300,000 additional opportunities for workplace experience and training Guaranteeing jobs: For long-term unemployed 18–21-year-olds on Universal Credit, the Jobs Guarantee scheme will provide six months of paid employment. In Hexham, there is a strong network of supportive employers who are providing work experience opportunities. This hands-on experience is invaluable for young people as they navigate their career paths. There is also a well-established partnership with the Newcastle United Foundation (NUF) who is one of the biggest providers of training and skills in the area, running courses focused on employability, confidence building and teamwork.In the North East and Northumberland, Jobcentres collaborate with local authorities, colleges, and partners to support young people through targeted programmes. These include Durham Works, helping 16–24-year-olds not in education, employment or training; the Pre-Employability Sports Programme, which builds essential skills through sports and workshops; and Club Elevate, supporting 16–25-year-olds in North Tyneside who face challenges such as poor mental health, substance misuse, or risk of anti-social behaviour.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of local voluntary sector organisations expected to deliver services linked to the Child Poverty Strategy in the North East.

We are strengthening our partnership with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) with our Civil Society Covenant. We recognise that the VCSE sector has a strong record of supporting families and is the bedrock of our communities, showing what is possible.To help realise the aims of the Covenant at the local level, we are launching a ‘Local Covenant Partnerships’ programme to help support partnership working and delivery between civil society organisations, local authorities and public service providers in selected areas that need it the most.Moreover, we are stablishing the world's largest social outcomes fund. The UK wide Better Futures Fund will be backed by £500 million of government funding over ten years to support vulnerable children, young people and their families. The Fund has the potential to achieve up to £1 billion in total funding to enable collaboration between government, local communities, charities and social enterprises, social impact investors and philanthropists.

What data his Department holds on the proportion of low income households in Hexham constituency impacted by changes to income- related thresholds outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy.

Estimates are available for the number of children and households that are expected to gain from the removal of two-child limit at constituency level here Poverty impacts of social security changes at Budget 2025 - GOV.UK. The Department does not hold data on the number of children in the North East, Northumberland or the Hexham constituency who will become newly eligible for support measures introduced under the Child Poverty Strategy or hold data on the proportion of low-income households in the North East, Northumberland or the Hexham constituency impacted by changes to income-related thresholds outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of local voluntary sector organisations expected to deliver services linked to the Child Poverty Strategy in Hexham constituency.

We are strengthening our partnership with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) with our Civil Society Covenant. We recognise that the VCSE sector has a strong record of supporting families and is the bedrock of our communities, showing what is possible.To help realise the aims of the Covenant at the local level, we are launching a ‘Local Covenant Partnerships’ programme to help support partnership working and delivery between civil society organisations, local authorities and public service providers in selected areas that need it the most.Moreover, we are stablishing the world's largest social outcomes fund. The UK wide Better Futures Fund will be backed by £500 million of government funding over ten years to support vulnerable children, young people and their families. The Fund has the potential to achieve up to £1 billion in total funding to enable collaboration between government, local communities, charities and social enterprises, social impact investors and philanthropists.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of local voluntary sector organisations expected to deliver services linked to the Child Poverty Strategy in Northumberland.

We are strengthening our partnership with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) with our Civil Society Covenant. We recognise that the VCSE sector has a strong record of supporting families and is the bedrock of our communities, showing what is possible.To help realise the aims of the Covenant at the local level, we are launching a ‘Local Covenant Partnerships’ programme to help support partnership working and delivery between civil society organisations, local authorities and public service providers in selected areas that need it the most.Moreover, we are stablishing the world's largest social outcomes fund. The UK wide Better Futures Fund will be backed by £500 million of government funding over ten years to support vulnerable children, young people and their families. The Fund has the potential to achieve up to £1 billion in total funding to enable collaboration between government, local communities, charities and social enterprises, social impact investors and philanthropists.

What data the Department holds on the expected uptake of family financial resilience programmes in the North East under the Child Poverty Strategy.

We do not hold data on the expected uptake of family financial resilience programmes in the North East region, including the Hexham and Northumberland constituencies under the Child Poverty Strategy. The Strategy recognises the important role that financial resilience must play in supporting families in poverty. The new £1 billion (including Barnett consequential) Crisis and Resilience Fund, launching in April 2026, will invest in local financial resilience to enable communities to better deal with crises in the long-term, reducing dependence and repeat need. Alongside this, the government is boosting financial resilience through helping low-income families to save, increasing debt advice provision and providing financial education and money management tools. The Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, published on 5 November 2025, brings together the foundations of financial resilience in support of the Child Poverty Strategy.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of voluntary sector organisations in Hexham constituency expected to deliver services linked to the Child Poverty Strategy.

We are strengthening our partnership with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) with our Civil Society Covenant. We recognise that the VCSE sector has a strong record of supporting families and is the bedrock of our communities, showing what is possible.To help realise the aims of the Covenant at the local level, we are launching a ‘Local Covenant Partnerships’ programme to help support partnership working and delivery between civil society organisations, local authorities and public service providers in selected areas that need it the most.Moreover, we are stablishing the world's largest social outcomes fund. The UK wide Better Futures Fund will be backed by £500 million of government funding over ten years to support vulnerable children, young people and their families. The Fund has the potential to achieve up to £1 billion in total funding to enable collaboration between government, local communities, charities and social enterprises, social impact investors and philanthropists.

What data the Department holds on the expected uptake of family financial resilience programmes in Northumberland under the Child Poverty Strategy.

We do not hold data on the expected uptake of family financial resilience programmes in the North East region, including the Hexham and Northumberland constituencies under the Child Poverty Strategy. The Strategy recognises the important role that financial resilience must play in supporting families in poverty. The new £1 billion (including Barnett consequential) Crisis and Resilience Fund, launching in April 2026, will invest in local financial resilience to enable communities to better deal with crises in the long-term, reducing dependence and repeat need. Alongside this, the government is boosting financial resilience through helping low-income families to save, increasing debt advice provision and providing financial education and money management tools. The Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, published on 5 November 2025, brings together the foundations of financial resilience in support of the Child Poverty Strategy.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of voluntary sector organisations in Northumberland expected to deliver services linked to the Child Poverty Strategy.

We are strengthening our partnership with the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector (VCSE) with our Civil Society Covenant. We recognise that the VCSE sector has a strong record of supporting families and is the bedrock of our communities, showing what is possible.To help realise the aims of the Covenant at the local level, we are launching a ‘Local Covenant Partnerships’ programme to help support partnership working and delivery between civil society organisations, local authorities and public service providers in selected areas that need it the most.Moreover, we are stablishing the world's largest social outcomes fund. The UK wide Better Futures Fund will be backed by £500 million of government funding over ten years to support vulnerable children, young people and their families. The Fund has the potential to achieve up to £1 billion in total funding to enable collaboration between government, local communities, charities and social enterprises, social impact investors and philanthropists.

What data his Department holds on the proportion of low income households in Northumberland impacted by changes to income- related thresholds outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy.

Estimates are available for the number of children and households that are expected to gain from the removal of two-child limit at constituency level here Poverty impacts of social security changes at Budget 2025 - GOV.UK. The Department does not hold data on the number of children in the North East, Northumberland or the Hexham constituency who will become newly eligible for support measures introduced under the Child Poverty Strategy or hold data on the proportion of low-income households in the North East, Northumberland or the Hexham constituency impacted by changes to income-related thresholds outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy.

What data his Department holds on the proportion of low income households in the North East impacted by changes to income- related thresholds outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy.

Estimates are available for the number of children and households that are expected to gain from the removal of two-child limit at constituency level here Poverty impacts of social security changes at Budget 2025 - GOV.UK. The Department does not hold data on the number of children in the North East, Northumberland or the Hexham constituency who will become newly eligible for support measures introduced under the Child Poverty Strategy or hold data on the proportion of low-income households in the North East, Northumberland or the Hexham constituency impacted by changes to income-related thresholds outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy.

What data the Department holds on the expected uptake of family financial resilience programmes in Hexham constituency under the Child Poverty Strategy.

We do not hold data on the expected uptake of family financial resilience programmes in the North East region, including the Hexham and Northumberland constituencies under the Child Poverty Strategy. The Strategy recognises the important role that financial resilience must play in supporting families in poverty. The new £1 billion (including Barnett consequential) Crisis and Resilience Fund, launching in April 2026, will invest in local financial resilience to enable communities to better deal with crises in the long-term, reducing dependence and repeat need. Alongside this, the government is boosting financial resilience through helping low-income families to save, increasing debt advice provision and providing financial education and money management tools. The Government’s Financial Inclusion Strategy, published on 5 November 2025, brings together the foundations of financial resilience in support of the Child Poverty Strategy.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of children in the North East newly eligible for support measures introduced under the Child Poverty Strategy.

Estimates are available for the number of children and households that are expected to gain from the removal of two-child limit at constituency level here Poverty impacts of social security changes at Budget 2025 - GOV.UK. The Department does not hold data on the number of children in the North East, Northumberland or the Hexham constituency who will become newly eligible for support measures introduced under the Child Poverty Strategy or hold data on the proportion of low-income households in the North East, Northumberland or the Hexham constituency impacted by changes to income-related thresholds outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of children in Northumberland newly eligible for support measures introduced under the Child Poverty Strategy.

Estimates are available for the number of children and households that are expected to gain from the removal of two-child limit at constituency level here Poverty impacts of social security changes at Budget 2025 - GOV.UK. The Department does not hold data on the number of children in the North East, Northumberland or the Hexham constituency who will become newly eligible for support measures introduced under the Child Poverty Strategy or hold data on the proportion of low-income households in the North East, Northumberland or the Hexham constituency impacted by changes to income-related thresholds outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy.

What estimate his Department has made of the number of children in Hexham constituency newly eligible for support measures introduced under the Child Poverty Strategy.

Estimates are available for the number of children and households that are expected to gain from the removal of two-child limit at constituency level here Poverty impacts of social security changes at Budget 2025 - GOV.UK. The Department does not hold data on the number of children in the North East, Northumberland or the Hexham constituency who will become newly eligible for support measures introduced under the Child Poverty Strategy or hold data on the proportion of low-income households in the North East, Northumberland or the Hexham constituency impacted by changes to income-related thresholds outlined in the Child Poverty Strategy.

What discussions his Department has had with relevant stakeholders on ensuring that vulnerable pensioners in the North East are protected from online benefit scams.

DWP is taking a number of steps to protect our vulnerable customers from online benefit scams. This includes raising public awareness of benefit scam messages on the Gov.uk website. Our most recent press release relating to Winter Fuel Payment warned our customers to be alert to text message scams in advance of next month’s payments and urging them to forward any suspicious texts to 7726. This is free of charge and helps phone providers block the numbers involved. Customers are also encouraged to forward suspicious emails to report@phishing.gov.uk. We are also working together with Action Fraud raising awareness on social media sites including Facebook and X formerly known as Twitter. This is alongside DWP’s continued work with trusted partners and charities such as Independent Age to ensure accurate and timely information is available. DWP has also developed a recorded message for our telephone lines to raise awareness of Winter Fuel Payment scams.

What assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of foundation apprenticeships on levels of sectoral skills in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England.

New foundation apprenticeships will give young people a route into careers in critical sectors, enabling them to earn a wage while developing vital skills.Foundation apprenticeships will also support employers in key sectors to meet their current and future skills needs by developing new opportunities to engage with younger employees and build pipelines of talent.The first seven foundation apprenticeships, which launched in August, focused on industrial strategy and priority areas - construction and the built environment, engineering and manufacturing, health and social care, and digital.The department is working with Skills England to explore which other sectors and occupations would be most suitable for foundation apprenticeships. Further detail will be set out in due course.

What discussions his Department is having with relevant stakeholders to support small and medium businesses in rural areas provide apprenticeship schemes in (a) Hexham constituency, (b) Northumberland, (c) Newcastle, (d) the North East and (e) England.

Small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) are important to the economy and to apprenticeships; they provide valuable opportunities for younger apprentices and apprentices from disadvantaged areas. The Apprenticeship Ambassador Network (AAN) is a group of nearly 2,500 employers and apprentices who volunteer to promote the benefits of the apprenticeship programme. It operates across all parts of England through nine regional networks. These networks provides buddying and mentoring support to small businesses to help them recruit and retain apprentices. The North-East Region of the AAN is actively engaging with SMEs across the region and is working closely with regional stakeholders to provide support to small businesses. In addition, through Skills England the government is simplifying the skills system and strengthening support for SMEs. Skills England provide the single, authoritative view of skills needs, working closely with employers, training providers and local leaders to ensure provision reflects real labour market demand. To ensure its work is shaped by real business experience, Skills England holds regular dialogue with the B5 group of major employer bodies, including the Federation of Small Businesses. It has a dedicated SME sponsor on its Board, and the Skills England executive team is committed to meeting SMEs across the country to ensure smaller firms have a permanent voice in the design of the skills system.