Information: Web sites to be cut as government pools online information for youth

But the Government insists the services and content provided by the sites will be absorbed into two large government information sites: one formal and one less formal.

The changes are part of the Transformational Government strategy, which aims to transfer relevant content from the Government's hundreds of separate sites into the pan-government public information portal directgov. A section of this site is set aside for young people.

Connexions Direct is likely to become part of directgov, as part of the formal government web-based advice offer for young people set out in Youth Matters: Next Steps. A Department for Education and Skills spokesman said: "Early work to share content and include reciprocal links between Connexions Direct and directgov has already taken place in anticipation of fuller migration. Further discussion and planning is required to address the particular requirements of Connexions Direct."