HC Deb 26 June 1997 vol 296 cc635-6W
17. Mr. Stinchcombe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the remit of the welfare-to-work task force[4108]

Mr. Andrew Smith

The role of the task force is first, to ensure that the design of the new deal takes full account of the requirements of employers and the wider community, second, to harness the energy and commitment of all sections of society, and particularly the business community, behind the new deal, and finally, to keep the Government informed of the way the proposals are working on the ground and advise on the resolution of any problems which arise.

28. Jacqui Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list the members of the welfare-to-work task force. [4120]

Mr. Smith

We have appointed Sir Peter Davis to lead the new deal advisory task force. The Government are now working with him to ensure that membership of the task force consists of people representing employers and other interests who are vital to the success of our initiative. The list will be made public in due course.

Mr. Love

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the remit of the welfare-to-work task force. [4115]

Mrs. Brinton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the remit of the welfare-to-work task force. [4117]

Mr. Alan Howarth

One of our most urgent priorities is to help unemployed people move from welfare to work. We intend to work in partnership with the business community and other key interests to offer unemployed people help in returning to sustained employment. The aim of the new deal advisory task force, which is headed by Sir Peter Davis, will be to ensure that employers and other key sectors are committed to the success of the initiative. The role of the task force is threefold:

  1. (a) to ensure that the design of the new deal takes full account of the requirements of employers and the wider community;
  2. (b) to harness the energy and commitment of all sections of society, and particularly the business community, behind the new deal;
  3. (c) to keep the Government informed of the way the proposals are working on the ground, and advise on the resolution of any problems which arise.