ANDREW RANGER MP WELCOMES NEW YOUTH HUB AS PART OF MAJOR UK GOVERNMENT BOOST FOR YOUNG PEOPLE IN WALES
WREXHAM — The Member of Parliament for Wrexham has today hailed a major victory for local opportunity following the UK Government’s announcement that Wrexham will open one of 12 new Youth Hubs being established across Wales.
The announcement is part of a wider rollout of 80 Youth Hubs across Great Britain, aimed at tackling economic inactivity and providing a direct ladder into the workforce for young people. These hubs serve as a one-stop shop for those aged 16–24, bringing together Jobcentre Plus, local authority services, employers, and training providers under one roof to provide tailored, face-to-face support.
In addition to the physical hubs, the UK Government has confirmed it is fulfilling its manifesto commitment to devolve non-Jobcentre Plus employment support funding to the Welsh Government. This shift begins with an initial £20 million already allocated to fund Economic Inactivity Trailblazer Pilots through 2027, with a long-term plan in place to give Wales greater control over local employment programmes.
Andrew Ranger, Member of Parliament for Wrexham, said:
“This is a gamechanger for Wrexham. For too long, many of our young people have felt that the path to a good career is blocked by a lack of local, accessible support. By bringing employers, training providers, and the Jobcentre together right here in our community, we are making sure no young person in Wrexham is left behind.
I am committed to making sure that the young people of Wrexham get the support they need so that they can grow up here, be educated here and get a good job here in Wrexham. No young person should feel they have to leave Wales to be able to get on in life.
I am also proud to see this government delivering on its promise to devolve employment funding to Wales. We know that the best solutions are often designed locally, and this £20 million investment in Trailblazer pilots is just the start of a more personal, effective approach to getting people into work.”
Secretary of State for Wales, Jo Stevens, said:
“More young people in Wales will get the support they need to get that vital first job through the expansion of the UK Government’s Youth Hubs to more communities.
“From Caerphilly to Conwy, these new Youth Hubs will provide tailored support, access to training opportunities and connections to employers who have job vacancies so that young people can learn and earn and have all the opportunities they deserve.”
The new Youth Hub in Wrexham will join 11 other confirmed sites across Wales, including locations in Denbighshire, Conwy, and Anglesey, building on existing hubs in places like Swansea and Bridgend. The UK Government will now work closely with Wrexham County Borough Council to identify the best site for the new facility.
- The 12 new locations are: Caerphilly, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Merthyr Tydfil, Torfaen, Neath Port Talbot, Newport, Denbighshire, Conwy, Wrexham, Anglesey, Pembrokeshire, and Carmarthenshire.
- The funding for Economic Inactivity Trailblazers covers the period 2025-26 to 2026-27.
- The Youth Hubs are designed specifically for young people aged 16–24 to bridge the gap between education and sustainable employment.
