§ Mr. HoyleTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proportion of the total unemployed workforce are aged over 25 years; and what targets he has set under the New Deal to reduce unemployment for those aged over 25 years. [47723]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithThe proportion of all claimant unemployed who are aged over 25 is currently 74 per cent. One of this Government's objectives is to increase the proportion of adults unemployed for more than two years who find jobs and leave unemployment through the New Deal for people aged 25 and over.