Responding to a statement by the Welsh Assembly Government on 16-18 year olds not in education, employment or training, Paul Davies AM, Shadow Minister for Education, said:

"It is disappointing that the Labour-Plaid Government is on course to miss its target for reducing the number of young people not in education, employment or training.

"It is concerning that the latest figures show the gender gap is growing with 14% of boys and almost 11% of girls not in education, employment or training.

"This gender gap echoes successive results at GCSE and A Level where girls are outperforming boys and shows how academic performance affects career outcomes after school.

"Labour-Plaid Ministers need to do more to promote entrepreneurship in schools so more young people have the option of setting up their own business when they leave school.

"Both Carwyn Jones and Peter Hain have complained that the private sector in Wales is too small, but have failed to take the measures necessary to allow for growth.

"Welsh Conservatives would help young people to become entrepreneurs by encouraging schools to set up social enterprises run by pupils, giving them the opportunity to learn key life skills."