§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps the Government are taking to improve the effectiveness of measures aimed at reducing the level of long-term unemployment among the over 25-year-olds in Coventry. [83972]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithBuilding on the New Deal for people aged 25 and over, which was introduced in June 1998 and gave those who had been unemployed for at least two years new subsidised employment and training opportunities, we introduced pilot schemes in 28 areas of Great Britain in November 1998. These have been designed to allow local partnerships more flexibility to try innovative ways of helping this age group back into work. One of these pilots is operating in Coventry, and is using a collaborative approach to delivering services through a range of partner organisations including the local city council. We are supporting their initiatives in helping long-term unemployed people find work, and will be evaluating this and the other pilots to see what works best and how help can be delivered most effectively in future for the benefit of unemployed adults in Coventry and elsewhere.