§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will list those voluntary youth organisations in the New Deal pathfinder areas which are(a) providing opportunities to unemployed young people under the full-time employee options, (b) providing opportunities to unemployed young people under the voluntary sector options, (c) providing opportunities to unemployed young people under the Environmental Task Force option and (d) helping to support unemployed young people under the Gateway period of the New Deal. [29198]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthThe information requested is not held centrally. Many voluntary organisations are offering assistance to young people through the New Deal either as part of the additional help that can be offered to those in the Gateway; through the jobs option; or by offering placement on the Voluntary Sector option. These range from small locally based organisations to ones operating across the country such as the National Trust, Age Concern and British Trust for Conservation Volunteers. Some, such as the Councils for Voluntary Services, have been involved with the planning and development of New Deal in their area as partners and are now acting as an umbrella by bringing together and co-ordinating local voluntary organisations to deliver a full range of provision.
It is worth remembering that New Deal offers young people help to increase their employability based on their individual need and as such specific assistance will be determined to meet an agreed Action Plan drawn up by the young person and their Personal Adviser. Involvement, then, of particular organisations will vary depending upon the needs of individual young person.