To ask the Minister of State, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills what proportion of people in Milton Keynes aged (a) 16 to 18 and (b) 19 to 24 years were not in education, training or employment in each quarter of the last 10 years. (304346)

I have been asked to reply.

Estimates of participation in education, training and employment for those aged 16 to 18 are published by the Department in a Statistical First Release (SFR) each June and can be found on the Department's website at

http://www.dcsf.gov.uk/rsgateway/DB/SFR/s000792/index.shtml

These estimates cannot be broken down to local authority level. However, Connexions services collect information on the number and proportion of 16 to 18-year-olds NEET in each local authority area. Figures for Milton Keynes are shown below. Figures for Milton Keynes are not available prior to 2006.

Equivalent information is not available for 18 to 24-year-olds.

We are making all 16 and 17-year-olds an offer of suitable place in learning through the September Guarantee. The Department has asked local authorities to focus in particular on those who are disengaged from education or missing school. The 14 to 19 curriculum reforms are creating a range of different learning opportunities suit all young people, including those who need help to re-engage in learning. Connexions services provide tailored support and advice, both on accessing education, employment or training, and on personal issues.

My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister announced on 18 November plans to guarantee an offer of an Entry to Employment place to any 16 and 17-year-old who is not in education, employment or training (NEET) in January 2010. This will give those who were not ready to engage in learning in September, or who have since left, a further opportunity to get the skills they need to succeed.