§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment under what legislative authority the Government will be implementing its welfare-to-work programme. [11638]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthOpportunities for work, education and training under our new deal for young people and long term unemployed adults will be provided pursuant to arrangements made by the Secretary of State under the Employment and Training Act 1973, as amended by the Employment Act 1988. The new deal will deliver high quality options for 18 to 24-year-olds who claim the jobseeker's allowance for six months or more. We intend to amend the Jobseekers Allowance Regulations 1996, subject to the approval of Parliament, to ensure that young people who are entitled to benefit from the new deal also have responsibility for participating in the programme, and that there is no additional option of continuing indefinitely on full benefit.