Gill German MP visited Rhyl Jobcentre on Monday 22 June 2026, where she met with the dedicated local team to learn more about how the Government’s new Youth Guarantee will be delivered across Clwyd North. The visit provided an opportunity to discuss how the initiative will support young people into employment, training and education, with:
- A new Youth Jobs Grant, giving employers £3,000 for every young person they hire aged 18-24 who has been on Universal Credit and looking for work for six months
- No employer National Insurance Contributions for employees under 21 or apprentices under 25
- An expansion of the Jobs Guarantee to a wider age range, extending eligibility from under-21s to young people up to age 24
- A dedicated support session for Universal Credit claimants aged 16–24, followed by four weeks of intensive support to help them move into work, training or education, with up to six tailored opportunities offered
She also spoke with the Employment Partnership Team about their close relationship with local employers, including Currys, Arriva and Park Dean holiday resorts.
Gill was pleased to hear how the team actively encourage young people to understand the world of work and encourage them to find the right role for themselves. The Jobcentre teams work closely with Working Denbighshire and Conwy Employment Hub, offering outreach services in Hwb Dinbych in Denbigh, as travel can be a barrier for many people.
Mike Hoban leads on employer liaison and helps people who are looking for work to understand exactly what employers need. “Sometimes the words you use in a CV or the way you present make a real difference, Mike said.
Nearly one million young people are not currently in work, training, or education[1] and are often completely disengaged from the workplace. Gill German remarked, “so many young people have low aspirations because they simply don’t know the world of work. They have no awareness that a job can improve your lifestyle, paying for a treat or a holiday and allow you the flexibility of choice”.
“What this government is doing through the Inactivity Trailblazers to get people work ready, Connect to Work for those with a disability, long term health or other significant barrier to work along with the Youth Guarantee, is to show people that work really pays and they are entitled to a place at the table. If they complete work experience, there is every chance of a real job at the end”.
Gill met with Julia Parkes who works from the Hwb in Denbigh and has seen the value of working closely with stakeholders locally including Flying Start, to create a “one stop shop” where people come to get help and support but leave with much more.
Thanking Customer Services Lead, Ethan Ray and the team at Rhyl Jobcentre for spending time telling her about what is on offer locally, Gill mentioned the UK Government “Right to Try” programme, which allows inactive individuals to try out a job without losing benefits if it doesn’t work for them.
“We have to approach employment differently”, Gill went on, “The days of staring at the cards on the Jobcentre wall are long gone. With almost 3 million people locked out of full time work due to sickness and one in eight young people[2] not in education, employment or training (NEET), we have to engage with people much more proactively when they are not active in the workplace, help them understand the barriers and find a way through all the obstacles to get back into work”.
“What Ethan and the team are doing here in Clwyd North, working in partnership with Working Denbighshire, Conwy Employment Hub and so many other local agencies, is showing real improvements in employment opportunities. I am very proud to be playing my part in a government that places the importance of work so highly and who will support people to realise their potential through work”.
