§ Mr. Leightonasked the Paymaster General how many new jobs were created during the first year's operation of the eight inner-city task forces.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeA principal aim of the task forces is to make it easier for residents in their areas to get jobs. However, it is not possible to measure total net additional jobs in the task force areas with accuracy. Any estimate would have to combine new jobs specifically associated with task force projects, jobs associated with business start-ups; jobs in firms helped by task force development funds, jobs created in agencies funded by the inner cities initiative and jobs gained by residents as a result of training courses facilitated by the initiative. We have not therefore yet attempted such an overall estimate.
I have been very impressed with the progress made by our eight Government task forces. They have made considerable headway in countering problems of employability, motivation, skills and enterprise among residents of some of our most difficult areas. The considerable success of the task forces has, as I announced to the House on Monday 27 April, led us to extend the experiment to a further eight areas. We are confident that the new task forces will enjoy the same degree of success, and bring positive benefits to the residents of their areas.