Pathfinder Areas (Hansard, 13 March 1998)

§ Mr. Waterson
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what information his Department is making available on the criteria for selection of Pathfinder areas and the process put in place to monitor the delivery of the New Deal. [32884]

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
Pathfinder areas were selected to provide a cross section of delivery areas in Great Britain. They comprise a sample of travel to work areas covering a variety of urban and rural locations of different sizes. The process is overseen by local partnerships and delivery of New Deal in the Pathfinder areas is monitored nationally and regionally.

§ Mr. Keetch
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what sanctions have been applied to New Deal participants in the pathfinder areas; and if he will make a statement. [34425]

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
New Deal has been operating in twelve Pathfinder areas since 5 January 1998. In the nine weeks of delivery up to 6 March 1998, no New Deal sanctions have been applied. Young people have warmly welcomed the New Deal and many have sought early entry.

§ Mr. Keetch
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the latest figures from the Pathfinder areas of New Deal in respect of the number of participants(a) gaining unsubsidised employment and (b) entering a New Deal Option. [34433]

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
The great majority of young people who have entered the New Deal are currently participating in the Gateway, a period of up to four months preparation for work and entry to the options. The number of young people gaining unsubsidised employment in the period 5 January to 6 March in the New Deal Pathfinder areas was 289. The number of young people entering a New Deal option in the same period was 574.

§ Mr. Keetch
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what alterations are being made to the Design of the New Deal for 18 to 24 year olds as a result of his Department's evaluation of data from the Pathfinder areas; and if he will make a statement. [34440]

§ Mr. Andrew Smith
We have very early evidence from the pathfinders about the operation of the New Deal processes which will be taken into account in the national roll-out. In the longer term, monitoring and evaluation of the New Deal will produce evidence on the basis of which possible amendments to its design will be considered. It is presently premature to draw conclusions other than that the initial Gateway interviews have been well received by 411W clients, and sufficient time must be allowed to enable these to establish effective rapport and impart useful advice.