To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families pursuant to the answer of 11 May 2009, Official Report, columns 598-9W, on young people: voluntary work, what criteria will apply in the selection of local authorities to pilot options to increase the proportion of young people participating in community service. (276180)

We envisage running the pilots with local authorities (LAs) in partnership with their secondary schools, the voluntary and community sector in their areas and with relevant agencies. Criteria for selection will include evidence that schools are keen to take part, evidence of the existing level of community service among 14 to 16-year-olds and the prospects for building on that to create a universal expectation and credible plans for involving young people in designing the local arrangements for community service.