§ Mr. GunnellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what targets he has set the Employment Service for 1997–98; and what plans he has for reviewing these in the future. [12160]
§ Mr. BlunkettI have today placed in the Library copies of the 1997–98 Employment Service annual performance agreement, which sets out the standards and targets I expect the Employment Service to achieve this year. The new agreement reflects our commitment to helping people, especially those who are at a disadvantage in the labour market, find employment, and stresses that the priority for Employment Service managers this year is to take the necessary steps to prepare for the introduction of the new deal in April next year.
The Employment Service will have a key role in implementing the new deal, and is at the heart of our efforts to help unemployed people, acting as a gateway to job vacancies and a wide range of initiatives tailored to address each individual's needs. The breadth of ES's current work is reflected in the targets I am announcing today—from placing 1.75 million unemployed people directly into jobs, to helping to ensure that JSA is paid quickly and accurately.
I am also announcing today a review of ES's targets, including a consultation exercise with those who work with the ES, to make sure that the targets fully reflect this government's commitment to creating a fair and efficient labour market, in which all have the chance to prosper.