§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how old the information is about local unemployment provided by the employment service to local TECs.
Mr. JacksonQuestions on operational matters in the Employment Service executive agency are the responsibility of Mike Fogden, the agency's chief executive, to whom I have referred this question for reply.
§ Mr. AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the relationship and co-ordination between the employment service and local TECs.
Mr. JacksonThe employment service and training and enterprise councils share a common purpose in helping local labour markets to run efficiently. It is vital that local employment service managers and individual TECs establish a relationship based on the closest possible co-operation to ensure that we maximise the contribution that each can make.
Most TECs have been operating for only a short time. However, there are already many excellent examples of collaboration to build on which will support a fully co-ordinated approach to the delivery of Government employment, training and enterprise programmes and services at the local level. I know that the employment service is committed to helping TECs succeed and I am encouraged by the response by individual TECs and the very constructive dialogue which has emerged.
The Government will continue to take a very keen interest in this important area.