tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/search/news-and-communications News and communications from Secretary of State for Work and Pensions 2026-05-11T22:30:01+01:00 HM Government tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/pm-vows-to-tear-up-status-quo-that-failed-young-people-on-apprenticeships-and-skills 2026-05-11T22:30:01+01:00 PM vows to tear up “status quo” that failed young people on apprenticeships and skills The Prime Minister will meet with apprentices to underline the Government’s drive to overhaul the apprenticeship system, break down barriers to opportunity for young people and ensure the economy works for people in every pa… tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/publications/apprenticeship-standards-achievement-rates-update-2026 2026-03-26T09:30:23+00:00 Apprenticeship standards achievement rates update: 2026 A letter from the Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions on current apprenticeship standards achievement rates. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/major-boost-for-young-people-in-wales-with-12-new-youth-hubs-and-devolved-employment-support-funding-announced 2026-03-25T14:48:00+00:00 Major boost for young people in Wales with 12 new Youth Hubs and devolved employment support funding announced Young people in Wales are set to benefit from expanded employment support through a further 12 new Youth Hubs as the Government continues to provide opportunity across the country. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/ai-apprenticeship-to-close-digital-skills-gap-holding-back-millions-of-workers 2026-03-17T12:00:00+00:00 AI apprenticeship to close digital skills gap holding back millions of workers First apprentices starting on AI and automation practitioner apprenticeship. It's open to all employers and supporting drive to upskill millions by 2030. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/speeches/welfare-state-to-working-state 2026-03-16T17:15:39+00:00 Welfare state to working state Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Rt Hon Pat McFadden MP speech announcing a further £1 billion investment in youth employment support and reforms to apprenticeships. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/cleanenergy-jobs-fairheldat-barnsley-college 2026-02-12T14:48:08+00:00 Clean Energy Jobs Fair held at Barnsley College Around 175 school pupils and college students from across South Yorkshire visited the fair to find out about jobs in clean energy. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/doors-opened-for-school-leavers-to-become-train-drivers 2026-02-10T00:01:02+00:00 Doors opened for school leavers to become train drivers Lowering the train driver age from 20 to 18 will give younger people the chance to build rewarding careers in the UK railway industry. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/speeches/government-response-to-parliamentary-and-health-service-ombudsmans-phso-investigation-into-womens-state-pension-age-communications-and-associated 2026-01-29T13:31:00+00:00 Government response to Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman’s (PHSO) Investigation into Women’s State Pension age communications and associated issues The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Pat McFadden delivered a speech to Parliament to announce the Government's new response to the PHSO State Pension age communication investigation as it relates to communicatio… tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/speeches/government-response-to-parliamentary-and-health-service-ombudsman-phso-report 2026-01-29T13:26:18+00:00 Government response to Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO) report  The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Liz Kendall delivered a speech to Parliament to outline the response to the PHSO State Pension age communication investigation. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/publications/skills-england-priorities-for-2025-to-2026 2025-10-27T00:00:00+00:00 Skills England priorities for 2025 to 2026 A letter from The Rt Hon Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to the joint chief executives of Skills England. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/clean-energy-jobs-boom-to-bring-thousands-of-new-jobs 2025-10-19T00:00:00+01:00 Clean energy jobs boom to bring thousands of new jobs Clean energy will bring 400,000 extra jobs by 2030, with high demand for roles including plumbers, electricians and welders. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/speeches/secretary-of-state-for-work-and-pensions-speech-on-reviving-the-landmark-pensions-commission 2025-07-21T00:00:00+01:00 Secretary of State for Work and Pensions speech on reviving the landmark Pensions Commission The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions the Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP delivered the below speech on the 21 July 2025. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/boost-for-gp-practices-to-help-people-back-to-work 2025-07-11T00:00:00+01:00 Boost for GP practices to help people back to work A new pilot programme will support people with health conditions back into employment and ease pressure on doctors. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/landmark-review-of-parental-leave-launched 2025-07-01T00:00:00+01:00 Landmark Review of Parental Leave Launched Government launches a full review of parental leave and pay, to better support working families and help children get the best start in life tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/boost-to-mental-health-services-from-thousands-of-extra-staff 2025-06-27T00:00:00+01:00 Boost to mental health services from thousands of extra staff Latest data shows 6,700 more mental health workers have been recruited, bringing the government closer to its 8,500 target. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/over-half-a-million-more-children-to-get-free-school-meals 2025-06-04T22:30:04+01:00 Over half a million more children to get free school meals New entitlement to free school meals for all children in household on Universal Credit. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/speeches/welfare-reform-speech-to-the-ippr-by-work-and-pensions-secretary 2025-05-21T13:24:52+01:00 Welfare reform: Speech to the IPPR by Work and Pensions Secretary Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP speech to the IPPR setting out the case for welfare reform. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/full-steam-ahead-young-people-take-the-drivers-seat-to-improve-train-services-and-unlock-jobs 2025-05-07T00:00:00+01:00 Full steam ahead: young people take the drivers seat to improve train services and unlock jobs Lowering the train driver age to 18 will help future-proof our railways, support young people in fulfilling careers and boost growth across the country. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/news/government-and-industry-to-train-up-clean-power-army 2025-04-07T14:25:01+01:00 Government and industry to train up 'clean power army' Government and industry to train up 'clean power army' of apprentice engineers, welders, and technicians. tag:www.gov.uk,2005:/government/speeches/secretary-of-state-for-work-and-pensions-speech-to-the-house-of-commons-on-welfare-reform 2025-03-18T00:00:00+00:00 Secretary of State for Work and Pensions speech to the House of Commons on Pathways to Work reform The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions the Rt Hon Liz Kendall MP delivered the below speech to the House of Commons on the 18 March 2025.