Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer visited Acton alongside Ealing Central and Acton MP Dr Rupa Huq last Thursday (28 May 2026) as the Government unveiled a £2.5 billion scheme aimed at helping young people into work.
Sir Keir was joined by Employment Secretary Pat McFadden as they toured Transport for London’s Acton Works engineering depot on Bollo Lane, where they met apprentices and learned how training programmes are helping young people gain skills and secure long-term employment.
The visit came as ministers announced plans to create 300,000 work experience and training placements across the UK through the new Youth Guarantee programme.
The scheme follows a report led by former Health Secretary Alan Milburn which found around one million young people are currently not in education, employment or training (NEET).
Under the programme, eligible 18 to 21-year-olds who have been out of work and claiming Universal Credit for 18 months or more will be offered a six-month paid job alongside training and work experience opportunities.
Dr Rupa Huq, MP for Ealing Central and Acton, said: “Youth unemployment has risen under both governments and the youth NEETs phenomenon became widespread after Covid.
“It is good to see that Acton has been pioneering in providing solutions and tackling this by giving young people dignity, and in many cases the scheme has led to permanent employment.”
Dr Huq added: “I was particularly pleased to see a number of women training in engineering on the scheme, and even one girl who is a current Year 10 student at Ellen Wilkinson School in Acton undertaking work experience. TfL’s Acton Works also seems to be smashing the stereotypes.”
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