MEDIA RELEASE

Statement from the Chair of the Public Accounts Committee (10 July 2014)

The Chair of the Public Accounts Committee, Darren Millar AM, has issued the following statement in response to the Wales Audit Office report on young people not in employment, education or training (NEETs).

Mr Millar said:

“I welcome the publication of this report. It is clear that there has been progress in reducing the number of 16-18 year olds who are not in education, employment or training.

“However, I am concerned that, despite the progress in reducing the number of NEETs, the Welsh Government is unable to assess whether its policies are achieving value for money, and developed its approach without properly assessing the cost of implementation beforehand.

“It now needs to swiftly implement the Auditor General’s recommendations and turn its attention to 19-24 year olds to ensure greater clarity about how this age group is being assisted.

“The Public Accounts Committee will consider this report at its meeting on 15 July”

Notes to editors

The full report is available from the Wales Audit Office.

More information about the Public Accounts Committee can be found here.