§ 9. Mr. Paul Goggins (Wythenshawe and Sale, East)What action he is taking to provide jobseekers with more flexible training opportunities. [114606]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Employment (Ms Margaret Hodge)We provide a wide range of help to unemployed people to support their efforts to move into work. All those opportunities are designed to be relevant to individual needs and the requirements of the local labour market.
§ Mr. GogginsI thank my hon. Friend for her answer. I am also grateful for the Government's commitment to flexibility. However, will my hon. Friend examine the eligibility criteria for work-based learning for adults? That scheme provides work experience and training for adults who have been out of work for more than six months. Does 1105 she agree that that can sometimes be too long to wait? Will she consider making the training available earlier, when job seekers often are more highly motivated?
§ Ms HodgeWe are introducing changes to the work-based learning scheme in April. Our aim is to reduce the constraints on the national vocational qualification framework, for example, and to focus on achieving better skills levels. We are always open to considering further improvements. We have asked the new deal taskforce to report back to us if changes are needed to improve the employability of people in the labour market.
§ Mr. Michael Fabricant (Lichfield)What discussions has the Minister had with the Foreign Secretary to ensure that the outcome of any meetings that might take place in Portugal today will not damage the flexible labour market?
§ Ms HodgeI can tell the hon. Gentleman that this country will be leading the discussions in Lisbon today, to ensure that those flexibilities relevant to a successful labour market will be sustained. Our record shows that there has been the biggest increase in 10 years in the number of people who are active in the labour market, that we are enjoying the lowest unemployment levels for 20 years, and that the Government have brought about the creation of 800,000 new jobs. That demonstrates that we can lead in Europe.