Skip to main content

European Youth Pact

Volume 471: debated on Monday 4 February 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what steps his Department has taken in consequence of the European Youth Pact. (181087)

The European Youth Pact calls on member states to equip young people with the necessary knowledge, opportunities, skills and competencies to ensure that they can contribute to the achievement of Lisbon goals of boosting jobs and growth. The United Kingdom implements the pact as part of its wider National Reform Programme (NRP) to meet these Lisbon goals.

The NRP involves a co-ordinated approach by a number of Government Departments and DIUS has a crucial role to play, particularly on skills. The Education and Skills Bill, which will bring in the legislative changes needed to implement key elements of the Leitch review, will increase participation in learning for young people and adults driving towards the Government's aim of a country with world class skills by 2020.