HC Deb 08 April 1998 vol 310 cc336-7W
Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from (i) employers, (ii) trades unions, (iii) non-Governmental groups and (iv) individuals in Stoke-on-Trent, North in respect of the New Deal. [37195]

Mr. Andrew Smith

The Employment Service have worked closely with a very wide range of partners to deliver New Deal in Stoke-on-Trent as elsewhere. Discussions have taken place with employers, trade unions, local authorities, voluntary organisations, other non-governmental groups and individuals.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is his estimate of the number of people in the Stoke-on-Trent, North constituency who are eligible for the New Deal for (i) 18–24 year olds, (ii) lone parents, (iii) people with a disability or long-term illness and (iv) adults over 25 years who have been unemployed for two years or more; and if he will make a statement. [37192]

Mr. Andrew Smith

I have placed in the Library a list of the client planning assumptions for each New Deal unit of delivery which the Employment Service is using to plan provision for young unemployed people aged 18 to 24. The table shows that the planning assumptions for the Staffordshire unit of delivery, which includes the Stoke-on-Trent, North constituency, is that 3,530 young people could be eligible to join the New Deal in 1998–99. We have yet to finalise planning assumptions for participation in the other New Deal groups.

Ms Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) interviews with unemployed young people have been completed, (b) jobs have been pledged and (c) employers have signed up to the new deal in Stoke-on-Trent North. [37194]

Mr. Andrew Smith

The New Deal in the Staffordshire unit of delivery, which includes Stoke-on-Trent, North constituency, does not start until 6 April. As a result no interviews have yet taken place. Employers have backed New Deal in Staffordshire as they have throughout the country, and pledges and Employer Agreements will follow as New Deal gets under way.