To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate she has made of the cost to her Department of implementing the change in the Young Persons’ Guarantee from a voluntary to a mandatory programme. (285143)

In his 2009 Budget statement, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced £1.1 billion for the delivery of the young persons guarantee and future jobs fund. Work is ongoing to determine the specific costs of each initiative under mandation, but we are confident they will be delivered from within the funding.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate her Department has made of (a) the number of young people aged 18 to 24 years who will reach 12 months claiming jobseeker’s allowance, (b) the number of young people aged 18 to 24 years who will receive assistance from the Young Persons’ Guarantee and (c) how much the Young Persons’ Guarantee will cost to deliver in (i) 2009-10, (ii) 2010-11 and (iii) 2011-12. (285146)

We do not forecast unemployment figures; however we will guarantee an offer for all 18 to 24-year-olds approaching 12 months on jobseeker’s allowance.

The young person’s guarantee is funded until 2010-11. £250 million has been allocated for 2009-10 and £843 million for 2010-11.