HC Deb 17 April 2000 vol 348 cc323-4W
Mr. Sayeed

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many jobs the New Deal has created; and at what cost. [117328]

Ms Jowell

I have been asked to reply.

The New Deal is not a job creation programme. The strong economy means that 800,000 people are in work compared with May 1997. 191,600 young people who had faced unemployment of at least six months have been helped by the New Deal move from benefits to work.