The Secretary of State told us that increasing youth employment, education and training is his top priority, yet certain benefit rules disincentivise young people from pursuing opportunities. It is particularly concerning that 16 to 18-year-olds who take on an apprenticeship risk reducing the benefits paid to the rest of their family, and that young adult carers who study for more than 21 hours a week risk having to choose between education and their carer’s allowance payments. Further, the Government is considering removing the health element of Universal Credit for under-22s having not provided evidence on the employment impact. This lack of coherence within DWP-specific policy areas is inexcusable. We are concerned that there are likely to be other instances where benefit rules do not align with wider policy objectives. (Conclusion, Paragraph 54)