XPeng G6 is good but is it my car of the year?

XPeng G6 drive by Steve Rogers

Chinese brands are moving the fastest across the UK and in the words of one industry analyst ‘they are no longer a side show, they are the main event’.

If you want a reason why then take a look at this. The stunning XPeng G6 is the company’s first model to hit our roads but at least the Chinese can’t take the credit for its exotic styling. That is the work of a Spanish designer who has plied his trade at Lamborghini and Ferrari.

The electric G6 has hit the ground running with performance, range, fast charging, and technology that is both mind blowing and infuriating. It is impressive enough to drop into my shortlist for car of the year but you will have to read to the end to find out if it has taken the crown.

The styling is there for all to see, SUV size with flowing coupe lines, there are no creases or angles here, just nose to tail smooth.

Inside is where it gets interesting. Typical Chinese minimalist layout, the dashboard dominated by a near 15 inch touchscreen, the only switches are on the steering wheel, and then the blood pressure starts to build trying to figure out how to perform the simplest of functions.

The single interface controls everything. I reached to the driver’s door to adjust the mirrors, it is always there or thereabouts. Nothing. After a lot of trawling through sub menus on the main screen I discovered a diagram which showed the door mirrors are adjusted from the steering wheel. The same screen dive applies to setting the regenerative braking strength.

Frustrating though it was, you cannot help but admire the level of technology the Chinese have brought to motoring. Yet for all that the G6 doesn’t have keyless entry, or does it? Maybe I couldn’t find how to activate it.

What I will say is thank heavens for voice control. A little robot appears on the screen and will control the heated or ventilated seat levels and steering wheel heat, adjust heating temperature or fan power, sort out a destination and find a radio station. Just as well because I even struggled to find my favourite stations.

When I finally cracked the radio I discovered a huge catalogue of music offering hundreds of albums and artists from every genre backed up by a formidable 960W 18 speaker sound system, a great way to listen to your favourite bands or classical composers. Best advice is to travel with a nerdy teenager who will suss this tech challenge in no time.

One final mystery… the G6 didn’t appear to have a glove box, or did it? I pressed everywhere without any luck so is the opening buried in a menu? Someone will know.

Aside from the technology woes the cabin is a great space with smart contemporary trims, solid build quality, comfortable seating and loads of room front and back. The front seat backs fold flat so you can have 40 winks while the car is being charged. Back seat passengers in particular will appreciate the impressive glass roof. G6 seats five in comfort and there is ample boot space for luggage.

For a first effort XPeng has done its homework on the technical front. The G6 is based on 800-volt technology and with DC charging capacity of up to 280kW can reach 80% in less than 20 minutes. A new G6 coming early next year will do the job in 12 minutes. An overnighter will charge the car at home.

There are two battery choices, a lithium-iron 66 kWh with a 270-mile range or a nickel 87.5 kWh with a range of up to 354 miles. A heat pump is standard and will reduce battery wear when the heating is turned on.

Performance from my larger battery model is brisk and the predicted range turned out to be pretty accurate. Next year’s twin motor all wheel drive model will have even more power and match the best of the opposition on acceleration.

Ride quality is a shade above average, G6 is not uncomfortable but as with many of the Chinese brands the suspension settings don’t provide a good enough cushion against poorer road surfaces.

So how has G6 done? Well it hasn’t got my car of the year, that goes to the perfect Kia EV3 ahead of the Seat Tavascan with XPeng G6 a worthy third given this is a first effort. It looks fantastic and delivers on performance, range and safety features and is very well equipped. Not bad out of the 37 road tests this year. Interesting that my top three this year are electric.

Fast facts

G6 Long range

£44,990 (starts £39,935)

Battery 87.5kW

Range 354 miles

0-62mph 6.2secs; 280bhp

Zero emissions. 1st tax £195

Boot: 571-1374 litres

Insurance group 44

Town Council invites people to join free community art project

Llangollen Town Council is inviting anyone who loves to be creative to be part of a new free community art project.

They are asking people to help create some beautifully decorated wooden benches that will be placed around the Llangollen area.

And to do this they'll be using pyrography – a fascinating technique that burns designs into wood – with the aim of helping bring local stories and creativity to life.

A council spokesperson said: "No experience is necessary, all designs are provided and our skilled tutor will guide you every step of the way. It's suitable for adults and families with older children and completely free to take part in."

A taster session is arranged for Tuesday January 13 when the tutor will show everyone how to use the pyrography tools and help them to create small items to take home, such as a keyring or coaster. 

This will prepare them for the four weeks of two-hour sessions where they will work on their own benches. 

The spokesperson added: "This session would also be particularly suited to adults - or parents with children in school as the sessions are on Tuesdays, 9.30-11.30am, or 11.45am-13.45pm, on January 20 and 27 and February 3 and 10 - and to home educated families with parents and older children taking part together to decorate their own bench. 

"The benches will be installed around the Llangollen area later in the Spring. No previous art experience is necessary as the tutor will guide everyone through the process and provide a choice of designs to use."  

* If you'd like to get involved, use the link below or scan the QR code on the posters above.

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=Ug4_TzS3ZEGUCRtgHRR5k_tS4YTytwxBhpJ_iBV2ePNUMDBPRlE2Q0hJUkIwUjE3MEhUNUM0REJSQi4u&route=shorturl

Inner Wheel's delicious Festive Tea Party goes down a treat

* The cast of the panto Dick Whittington.

Llangollen Inner Wheel staged it's annual Festive Tea Party at St Collen's Community Hall yesterday (Sunday).

On the menu was traditional afternoon tea plus fizzy wine and a full programme of local entertainment ranging from a taste of pantomime to traditional Welsh song.

The panto selection came from around 30 cast members from Llangollen Pantomime Group's forthcoming production of Dick Whittington, which hits the Town Hall stage from January 15-18.

They sang numbers from their past shows plus a couple of Christmas favourites including Santa Clause is Coming to Town and Frosty the Snowman.

Another treat was an appearance by the duo Idle Lies, consisting of Ewan Smith and Sam Leonard, whose highlight number was Next Christmas You'll Be Home, written by Sam as a tribute to their friend Daniel Parsonage, who suffered a life-threating brain haemorrhage last summer, and with performances of which they have so far raised £5,000 for the Walton Centre NHS Foundation where he was treated.

David Scott, a member of the Rhos Male Voice Choir, sang two moving traditional Welsh songs - Dafydd y Garreg Wen (David of the White Rock) and My Little Welsh Home - without accompaniment.

Mike Connolly gave an impromptu rendition of the seasonal number Mary's Boy Child and Phil Robinson opened the show in festive spirit with Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas and Winter Wonderland.

The show, which was compered by well-known after dinner speaker Andy Conde, was rounded off by a selection of carols in which the audience was led by Gethin Davies.

* Idle Lies (Ewan left and Sam right).

* David Scott.

* Mike Connolly.

* Phil Robinson.

* Gethin Davies conducts the closing carols.

Part of Castle Street closed today for manhole works

* The diversion sign at the Mill Street end of Castle Street.

Part of Castle Street is closed today to allow work to be carried out on a manhole outside number 36.

The section of the carriageway closed is from Market Street to Berwyn Street (A5).

There is a diversion sign at the Mill Street end of the street pointing back towards Trevor, which some drivers appear to be taking as an indication that the entire length is closed.

However, this is not the case and drivers heading on into Castle Street are finding a second diversion sign near the roadworks pointing into Market Street. And those following this route are eventually finding their way along Market Street and onto the A5 at the end.

* The other diversion sign pointing into Market Street.

Latest local roadworks bulletin from county council

Brook Street, Llangollen until 27/03/2026, Active Travel Improvements from the A5 up Brook Street, towards Ysgol Bryn Collen / Y Gwernant, Goleuadau Traffig Dros Dro/ Temp Traffic Lights

Carriageway OS Number 36 Castle Street, 14/12/2025, Gwaith ar Dwll Archwilio/ Man Hole Works, Ffordd ar Gau/Road Closure

A539 LLANGOLLEN ROAD 16/12/2025, Torri Coed / Tree Cutting 

OUTSIDE NUMBER 9 CASTLE STREET 01/02/2026, Gwaith Nwy / Gas Works WALES & WEST (DCC)

Collen Players present a cracker of a Christmas show

* The Collen Players assemble for the final curtain.

Llangollen's Collen Players gave an audience in festive mood a real Christmas cracker of a show with Deck the Halls, their heart-warming festive variety treat last night (Friday).

As promised, it was an evening packed with timeless singalong favourites, sparkling nostalgia and old-fashioned charm, which was the perfect way to start the seasonal celebrations.

All money raised on the night goes to the appeal to restore and preserve St Collen's ancient and historic hammer-beam ceiling.

Topping the evening's bill was Colin Bourdiec, the ukulele maestro who pays a jolly tribute to the great George Formby and many more old time favourites besides.

The Chairman of Charm, Leonard Naylor, delighted with some daring ditties and delightful solo numbers. 

Stepping up on stage first came Collen Players regular Phil Robinson with a couple of numbers designed to charm the chill from the night - Winter Wonderland and Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.   

Miss Susan Stokes, billed as the Silver Songbird, followed with her candle-glow cosy song I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas, then a reading of A Yorkshire Nativity by Gervaise Fin. In the second half she sang Mary Did You Know.

Mike Connolly exercised his considerable choral range to the full with Let There Be Peace on Earth in the first half. He was back later for a touching version of O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fidelis).

The Chairman himself captured the fun of the night with his rendition of the comedy nugget The Night I Appeared as Macbeth and, later, his showpiece asked, Who'll Come and Roll Mother's Pudding? 

Alison Jarvis entertained with her amusing poem Santa's Greatest Secret.

Colin Bourdiec gave us a musical reminder of why we still love the legendary Lancashire lad George Formby before leading the audience in an hilarious Twelve Days of Christmas, which had them bobbing up and down like corks and he was back for the grand finale with a touch of magic.  

Jayne on keyboard and Clayton on drums provided some solid accompaniment to the various artistes throughout the bill, with Jayne also teaming up with the Chairman for the piano duet Jingle Bells. 

And there was ample opportunity for the audience to air their own vocal talents with the many seasonal-themed sing-along numbers available, including the closing numbers of Down at the Old Bull and Bush and White Christmas.

* Pictures by Jeanette Robinson

* The Chairman.

* Alison Jarvis.

                                                   * Colin Bourdiec.

* Mike Connolly.

* Susan Stokes.

* Phil Robinson.

* Clayton on the drums and Jayne on the keyboard.

Collen Players present their festive variety show tonight

Llangollen's Collen Players are giving you the chance to step back into the magic of Christmases gone by with their heart-warming festive variety show tonight (Friday).

They promise an evening filled with timeless singalong favourites, sparkling nostalgia and old-fashioned charm, which is the perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations.

All money raised goes to the appeal to restore and preserve St Collen's ancient and historic hammer beam ceiling.

Topping the evening's bill, which starts at 6.30pm, will be Colin Bourdiec, the ukulele maestro who pays a jolly tribute to the great George Formby.

The Chairman of Charm delights with some daring ditties and Phil “Razzle-Dazzle” Robinson returns with a seasonal selection. 

Miss Sue Stokes, billed as our Silver Songbird, will enchant with her splendiferous arrangements and Mike Connolly will exercise his considerable choral expertise to the full.

Jayne and Clayton — the Melodious Magicians of Melody and Mirth - will provide some stupendous backing throughout the night, with Jayne weaving wonder upon the keys and Clayton conjuring cadence on the drums, this dynamic duo deliver rhythm, rapture and rollicking rejoicing.

There will also be the chance for the audience themselves their own vocal talents with many sing-along opportunities. 

Entry price includes festive supper.

* Book your tickets at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/llangollen/st-collens-community-hall/deck-the-halls-christmas-show/2025-12-12/d-zvvxkysygvqkp

Suspected mortar shell found in Acrefair

A  suspected mortar shell was the reason for a large police presence in Acrefair today. 

* For the full story, go to: https://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/25691342.suspected-mortar-shell-discovered-wrexham-village/

*Picture from Leader live story.

Crews battle blaze at chocolate factory in Chirk

* Picture from the Oswestry Advertizer.

The Oswestry Advertizer is reporting this afternoon that emergency services are currently at the Mondolez Factory in Chirk due to a fire. Workers have been evacuated.

* For the full story, go to: https://www.bordercountiesadvertizer.co.uk/news/25690239.live-crews-battle-fire-chocolate-factory-chirk/

• 
  

Tidy Town Team mark 20th anniversary with Christmas lunch

Members of Llangollen Tidy town enjoyed their annual Christmas dinner at the Hand Hotel last night (Wednesday).

Their co-ordinator David Davies welcomed them and congratulated everyone on another successful year.

He also reminded them that they are entering the team's 20th year during which time they have completed a fantastic total of 10,000 hours of unpaid work on behalf of the community.

David also remarked that four members of the original team formed in 2006 were present around the table. 

* The Tidy Town Team enjoy Christmas dinner at the Hand Hotel.

Christmas and New Year waste collection day changes

Denbighshire residents are reminded to be aware of temporary collection day change to Waste and Recycling during the Christmas and New Year period.

Over the holidays the following temporary changes have been made to household waste collections, these are:

• Monday 22 December 2025 will be collected on Saturday 20 December 2025.
• Tuesday 23 December 2025 will be collected on Monday 22 December 2025.
• Wednesday 24 December 2025 will be collected on Tuesday 23 December 2025.
• Thursday 25 December 2025 will be collected on Wednesday 24 December 2025.
• Friday 26 December 2025 no change (normal collection day).
• Monday 29 December 2025 no change (normal collection day).
• Tuesday 30 December 2025 no change (normal collection day).
• Wednesday 31 December 2025 no change (normal collection day).
• Thursday 1 January 2026 will be collected on Saturday 3 January 2026.
• Friday 2 January 2026 no change (normal collection day).

 

The following temporary changes will be made to commercial waste collections over the Christmas and New Year period:

• Monday 22 December 2025 will be collected on Saturday 20 December 2025.
• Tuesday 23 December 2025 will be collected on Monday 22 December 2025.
• Wednesday 24 December 2025 will be collected on Tuesday 23 December 2025.
• Thursday 25 December 2025 will be collected on Wednesday 24 December 2025.
• Friday 26 December 2025 no change (normal collection day).
• Monday 29 December 2025 no change (normal collection day).
• Tuesday 30 December 2025 no change (normal collection day).
• Wednesday 31 December 2025 no change (normal collection day).
• Thursday 1 January 2026 will be collected on Saturday 3 January 2026.
• Friday 2 January 2026 no change (normal collection day).

 

During the Christmas and New Year period, the following temporary changes will be made to garden waste collections:

• Monday 22 December 2025 will be collected on Saturday 20 December 2025.
• Tuesday 23 December 2025 will be collected on Monday 22 December 2025.
• Wednesday 24 December 2025 will be collected on Tuesday 23 December 2025.
• Thursday 25 December 2025 will be collected on Wednesday 24 December 2025.
• Friday 26 December 2025 no change (normal collection day).
• Monday 29 December 2025 no change (normal collection day).
• Tuesday 30 December 2025 no change (normal collection day).
• Wednesday 31 December 2025 no change (normal collection day).
• Thursday 1 January 2026 will be collected on Saturday 3 January 2026.
• Friday 2 January 2026 no change (normal collection day).

During this time, residents can book to visit our waste and recycling parks. Details of what is accepted in our waste and recycling parks are available on the Council’s website.

Normal collections for residents will resume from Monday, 5 January 2026.

Councillor Barry Mellor, Lead Member for Environment and Transport said: “The festive period is a time where a lot of waste and recycling will be produced, and our fantastic waste teams will be on hand to pick up all be it on different days whilst the holidays are ongoing.

“Please share the information about the temporary changes and visit the Council’s Facebook page where there is lots of information about this collection period. We also want to thank all our residents for understanding these changes and also thank them for their cooperation during the festive period.”

* Full details about Christmas and New Year information is also on the Council’s website.

* Residents can check how to recycle items on the Council’s A-Z recycling guide online. 

New signs of the times for Lock Up Heritage Building

No longer do people have to ask: what is that building? 

Because when they walk past the now fully-restored former Lock-up, Police-Station, Town Hall and  Armoury passers-by will have noticed two magnificent bi-lingual signs recently erected on the Lock Up Heritage Building - one in Berwyn Street and one in Victoria Square.

These signs were designed by Jessica Coath, graphic designer and daughter of Jamie Coath, the architect responsible for the design and implementation of the restoration of the semi-derelict building known as the Old Armoury acquired in 2013 by the Armoury Conservation Trust.

The sign over the shop in Berwyn Street was hand-painted by Jessica and erected by Jamie, Jess and Justin Langford in November.

* Above and below: the shopfront signage

being erected in November.

The Armoury Conservation Trust is delighted both with the sign and the hand-painted logo over the wooden door.

Last week, the Trust welcomed on site Llangollen Tidy Town Team to erect the sign over the main entrance to the Lock Up Heritage Centre in Victoria Square. There has been no sign there since the Eisteddfod vacated the building to move to the Pavilion in 1998.

* The Tidy Town Team putting up the sign 

over the main entrance in Victoria Square.

This was by no means an easy task for the Tidy Town Team, but they tackled it with skill and inventiveness, and made a great job of it.   

They also helped ACT erect a seat outside the studio flat in Hall Street, which is much appreciated by people needing a rest for a while on their way to and from town.

ACT has expressed its grateful thanks to Jamie and Jessica Coath and the Tidy Town Team for their work and effort in designing, producing and erecting these signs for the Lock Up Heritage Centre.

* The seat outside the studio flat in Hall Street. 

Clwydian Range voted amongst most beautiful places in UK

In a recent survey by Consumer magazine Which, members voted the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley among the most beautiful places in the UK. 

* For the full story in Wales Online, go to: I visited one of Wales' most beautiful places and was absolutely blown away | Wales Online

Collen Players present their festive variety show this Friday

Llangollen's Collen Players are giving you the chance to step back into the magic of Christmases gone by with their heart-warming festive variety show this Friday.

They promise an evening filled with timeless singalong favourites, sparkling nostalgia and old-fashioned charm, which is the perfect way to start your Christmas celebrations.

All money raised goes to the appeal to restore and preserve St Collen's ancient and historic hammer beam ceiling.

Topping the evening's bill, which starts at 6.30pm, will be Colin Bourdiec, the ukulele maestro who pays a jolly tribute to the great George Formby.

The Chairman of Charm delights with some daring ditties and Phil “Razzle-Dazzle” Robinson returns with a seasonal selection. 

Miss Sue Stokes, billed as our Silver Songbird, will enchant with her splendiferous arrangements and Mike Connolly will exercise his considerable choral expertise to the full.

Jayne and Clayton — the Melodious Magicians of Melody and Mirth - will provide some stupendous backing throughout the night, with Jayne weaving wonder upon the keys and Clayton conjuring cadence on the drums, this dynamic duo deliver rhythm, rapture and rollicking rejoicing.

There will also be the chance for the audience themselves their own vocal talents with many sing-along opportunities. 

Entry price includes festive supper.

* Book your tickets at: https://www.ticketsource.co.uk/whats-on/llangollen/st-collens-community-hall/deck-the-halls-christmas-show/2025-12-12/d-zvvxkysygvqkp

International photographer goes on fashion shoot at the station

* Photographer Amberly Valentine captures model Jolina Sothie on camera.

* A wave from Jolina forr llanblogger's camera.

* Amberly makes some adjustments to her camera before the next sequence of shots.

An internationally acclaimed fashion photographer stopped off at Llangollen station for a photo-shoot earlier today (Tuesday).

Amberly Valentine, who works across the world, was on the heritage railway's famous Platform 1 for a commission from the high-end clothing retailer Holland Cooper whose clients include Catherine, Princess of Wales.

And she was working with a model who had flown in specially for the occasion from her home in Germany.

Amberly explained that it was no coincidence that she chose the station as her latest setting, as her parents, Susan and Mark Drew, live nearby.

She said: "I work in some stunning locations across the world - from glaciers to the Sahara Desert - but I love Llangollen Railway and come here two or three times year whenever I'm in staying with my parents.

"It's a beautiful and unique place and a shop window for the town."

She added: "The model who I was photographing today, Jolina Sothie from Germany, has been wearing some of the classic fashion from the company I have been working on behalf."

Haval Jolion EV isn't likely to bother Ford or Vauxhall

Haval Jolion Pro drive by Steve Rogers

Meet the Haval Jolion, the latest Chinese invader looking for a chunk of the UK car market.

With around 15 companies plying their trade this is the biggest invasion since the Roman conquest. At least this one is friendly although Ford, Vauxhall and the rest of the pack would probably disagree because they cannot understand how the Chinese brands can sell cars so cheaply, taking huge chunks out of their sales.

Haval has slipped in under the radar without the same fanfare as BYD or Jaecoo. It is an offshoot of Great Wall Motor, a technology and automobile company with a handful of brands although Haval and Ora are the only ones to come to Europe, so far.

Great Wall, or GWM as it is now branded, dipped a toe in British waters more than a decade ago with a cheap as chips pick up. It didn’t work out but they are having another go with a new pick up in the new year.

Jolion Pro is a mid-sized hybrid SUV with the same DNA as its Chinese brethren: Shed loads of kit and rock bottom pricing. You can pick up the entry Premium model for around £24k but unlike the aforementioned this isn’t going to provide Ford and co with too much of a headache.

So what’s the problem? It is not bad looking but not one that is going to turn heads for any other reason than peering at the over-large Haval name bar on the front grille. I had quite a few ‘never heard of this one before’.

Styling is conservative, too conservative compared to offerings from the likes of Kia, MG, BYD and Jaecoo. Wait till you see the sensational X-Peng in next week’s road test.

Things improve in the cabin which is typically Chinese: Minimalist, neat and tidy, and dominated by a 12.3in touchscreen. You won’t find many switches, just a few quick keys for heating, then it is a case of diving into the telephone directory style menus and sub menus. Last week I wrote how Volvo had turned complicated into simple and Haval could do with taking a fresh look at the Jolion interface. It’s complicated and can be distracting for the driver.

At least voice control is helpful as well as amusing. Say ‘hey GWM’ and a female’s voice replies ‘I’m coming’. I continued the chat with a risque comment and was told ‘you can’t say that’.

I seemed to spend my time being irritated by little things. I could not work out how to get the cabin lights to come on when opening a door, wipers don’t come on with the screen wash, the only volume control for radio is on the steering wheel.

My wife searched everywhere from the passenger seat and eventually gave up and used voice control, but a simple switch would be better. Oh, and the radio does not have DAB stations.

On the mechanical side the ride is not up to standard. This is no bucking bronco but the slightest road blemish is felt in the cabin. If we Brits are too fussy it is because we are used to better.

The steering is too light for me and lacked feel although Mrs Rogers enjoyed driving the Jolion and she is not alone because Haval is a huge hit in Australia where it is the third best seller in its class.

Jolion is a hybrid with a 1.7kW battery, which is good, and has a similar setup to Nissan Qashqai with an electric motor doing the heavy lifting supported by a 1.5 litre petrol engine. Don’t worry, you will be paying a lot less than the Nissan.

It’s no slouch either and after some annoying front wheel spin pulls away smartly. With a two speed automatic gearbox the engine note resembles a muted siren that can be turned into a wailing siren by dipping the accelerator. Ok, that’s the child in me coming out.

What should be better is the economy. I ended the week in the mid forties which is no better than a straight petrol. Hybrids featured in these columns this year have been in the mid fifties.

On a positive note Jolion is well equipped even at entry Premium grade with the top of the range Ultra gaining things like a 360 degree camera with excellent definition, auto parking assist, heated and ventilated seats. All models have a full suite of safety features.

The cabin is a good size but the boot is small and has less space than a smaller Volkswagen Polo or Toyota Yaris.

The kindest observation I can make is that Jolion is a work in progress and bound to get better.

Favourite feature: I struggled to find one, but let’s say a spacious cabin. I’m feeling generous.

Fast facts

Jolion Pro Ultra

£30,590 (starts £23,995)

Electric motor 148bhp

1.5 litre petrol 95bhp

0-62mph 9secs; 115mph

47mpg combined

133g/km. 1st VED £540

Boot: 255-916 litres

Warranty: 5 years

Join Inner Wheel's festive tea party this Sunday

 

MP welcomes new scheme to help young people back into work

Clwyd East MP Becky Gittins (pictured) has welcomed the Labour Government’s new investment to provide training and work opportunities for young people who are neither earning nor learning.

It means a major expansion of its Youth Guarantee scheme, backed by £820 million of new funding, to tackle the problem and give a brighter future to young people across Britain.

This investment aims to:

• Create 350,000 new workplace and training opportunities in sectors such as construction, health and social care, and hospitality.
• Expand Youth Hubs to every local area of Great Britain – over 360 in total – offering lifechanging support such as CV advice, skills training, mental health support, housing advice and careers guidance.
• Provide a new Youth Guarantee Gateway, giving almost 900,000 young people on Universal Credit a dedicated support session followed by four weeks of intensive coaching.
• Deliver a Jobs Guarantee for 18–21-year-olds who have been long-term unemployed, offering six months of fully subsidised paid employment.

Becky Gittins MP said: “I am delighted that the Work and Pensions Secretary has committed hundreds of millions of pounds of investment to the young people of this country. Too many in Clwyd East are being held back. With 285 young people stuck on benefits, this new package of support will provide opportunities for them to turn their lives around after the previous government neglected them. Labour has a plan to get Britain working, and this Youth Guarantee will make sure no young person is left behind.”

Work and Pensions Secretary, Pat McFadden, added: “Every young person deserves a fair chance to succeed. When given the right support and opportunities, they will grasp them. This funding is a downpayment on young people’s futures and the future of the country, creating real pathways into good jobs and providing work experience, skills training and guaranteed employment.”