Andrew Western

Andrew Western

Labour — Stretford and Urmston

Speaking in the House of Commons on 2 June 2026

Debate

Milburn Review: Interim Report

Contribution

The hon. Gentleman has elevated me to Cabinet level—something that is at least premature, if not unlikely ever to happen, I suspect. I refer him to the Milburn report, because it sounds as if he has not read it. It states that “the UK’s NEET crisis is much more long-term and deep-seated than any decisions taken in the last few years.” Making particular reference to national insurance, it states that “it is worth remembering that those under 21 remain exempt from employer NICs and, as the review has already highlighted, the increase in youth inactivity long precedes any recent changes to NICs.”

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