To ask the Minister for the Economy, pursuant to AQW 16354/22-27, to provide an update on the work undertaken by the Careers Advisory Forum within the last six months.

The Careers Advisory Forum has not yet been re-established. However, stakeholder engagement activity remains a key priority with the partnerships created providing essential support to early careers reform projects. Most recently, a careers portal stakeholder event was held on 12th May 2025, bringing together over 50 representatives from across the careers landscape. This event followed a wide range of evidence gathering, focus groups and a formal discovery process to validate findings. Officials in my department have worked closely with counterparts in the Department of Education to develop proposals aimed at strengthening the careers ecosystem. This includes setting out mechanisms to enhance system level engagement and collaboration to inform the effective and joined up delivery of careers services.