To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much was spent on careers advice for those under 19 years of age in each of the last 10 years. (153839)

In April 2001, responsibility for providing careers advice passed from the Careers Service to the Connexions Service. Connexions provides services to 13 to 19-year-olds and to people with learning difficulties and/or disabilities up to the age of 24. The following table shows the amount of central Government funding allocated to the Connexions Service and the Careers Service in each of the last 10 years. Information on the amount spent on careers advice is not collected centrally. However, an independent study undertaken in 2006 concluded that, on average, around 42 per cent. of a Connexions Partnership’s expenditure was on information, advice and guidance.