To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of Connexions services in targeting young people not in education, employment or training to ensure that they have the information, advice and guidance required to understand their options. (247244)

In 2005, my Department published its report of the “End to End Review of Careers Education and Guidance” which concluded that Connexions has made good progress with targeted services for young people not in education, employment or training (NEET), or at risk of becoming NEET. This follows similarly positive findings by Ofsted in inspections carried out between 2002 and 2004 and from a 2004 survey of young people’s views. The recently commissioned Ofsted Thematic Review of Information Advice and Guidance will include a focus on IAG for young people who are not in employment, education or training and on those leaving care and will give us a more up-to-date picture of the effectiveness of these services. In addition, the Department will continue to monitor local authorities’ performance in reducing the proportion of 16 to 19-year-olds not in education, employment and training, and where necessary, challenge and support them to secure improvement.