New Deal (Hansard, 9 July 1998)

§ 19. Mr. Hanson
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what progress is being made with regard to the implementation of the new deal for over-25s. [48106]

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
The New Deal for long term unemployed adults aged 25 and over started across the country on 29 June.

§ 23. Ms Blears
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support exists through the new deal for unemployed people who want to start their own businesses. [48110]

§ 33. Mr. Borrow
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what provision is made under the new deal for an unemployed person to start their own business. [48121]

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
If a young person aged 18–24 years who is in the New Deal Gateway expresses an interest in starting their own business, they will be referred to a training provider who will conduct a basic awareness and information session which lasts up to a day. They will then be referred to a short course, or one to one counselling, depending on their needs, learn about self employment and put together their business plan.
Some young people will leave New Deal after this stage to become independently self-employed or take a Job. Others may enter the Employment Option and set up and run a small business. For up to 26 weeks they will receive training and support and an allowance. Any profits from the business are put into an escrow account.
The young person will continue to receive support from a mentor, appointed by their training provider, for up to 2 years after leaving the option and while they continue to trade.

§ 25. Dr. Starkey
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the nature of help offered to unemployed people over 25-year-olds in the pilots announced in the Budget. [48113]

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
The November pilots will make available 90,000 places for people reaching 12 or 18 months unemployment, with a range of innovative help, tailored to the needs of each individual, including gateway advice, helping with jobs, and entitlement to a mandatory period of work experience and training.
616W

§ 39. Mr. Burden
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the new deal in Birmingham. [48127]

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
New Deal for 18–24 year olds was launched in Birmingham on 6 April 1998. As at 3 July, 1,799 young people have started on the New Deal Gateway; 1,310 clients have been referred to specialist agencies for additional help. 397 companies have signed employer agreements.
A business coalition including members from leading Birmingham firms is advising on implementation and marketing of the programme.

§ Mr. Chope
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people in the Christchurch constituency have joined the New Deal initiative since it was launched; how many have been placed into jobs; how many have been placed on to options; and how many employer agreements have been signed. [48816]

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
On the 25 June I made public the latest statistical data for New Deal for the period 5 January to 29 May 1998. This information has now been placed in the Library along with the statistical information on each of the New Deal Units of Delivery. Christchurch constituency falls within the Dorset Unit of Delivery. It is, of course, early days for this ambitious undertaking, but I am encouraged by the progress of New Deal so far.
The Employment Service District Manager in Bournemouth and Poole, Letty Scott, is always on hand to discuss New Deal in the hon. Member's local area.

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have found employment under the New Deal scheme in(a) the north-west and (b) Chorley. [48449]

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
On 25 June I made public the latest statistical data for New Deal for the period 5 January to 29 May 1998. This information has now been placed in the Library along with the statistical information on each of the New Deal Units of Delivery. Chorley constituency falls within the Central Lancashire Unit of Delivery. It is, of course, early days for this ambitious undertaking, but I am encouraged by the progress of New Deal so far.
The Employment Service District Manager in Preston and Fylde, Jackie Mason, is always on hand to discuss New Deal in my hon. Friend's local area.

§ Mr. Hoyle
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many of the jobs created through the New Deal scheme have been full-time jobs in(a) the United Kingdom, (b) the North West and (c) Chorley. [48450]

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
The New Deal is not intended to be a job creation scheme; rather it is a central part of the Government's strategy to promote long term stability and sustainable growth. By improving the employability of the most disadvantaged we will improve the efficiency of the economy.
However, the number of vacancies that have been advertised to New Deal participants up to 5 June 1998 is over 19,300 nationally; over 2,400 in the North West Region and; over 100 in the Central Lancashire Unit of 617W Delivery which incorporates the Chorley constituency. At this stage it is not possible to give a breakdown of how many of these vacancies are full time and part time.