§ 31. Mr. IllsleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proposals he has to encourage older benefit claimants back into employment. [120975]
§ Mr. RookerWe have developed a range of measures to help older benefit recipients return to work.
The New Deal 50plus was launched by the Prime Minister at the beginning of April. It is the first major national programme of back to work help for older people and has the potential to bring back into the labour market thousands of people with the skills and expertise employers need.
New Deal 50plus is a voluntary programme available for people over age 50 who have been on Jobseeker's Allowance, Incapacity Benefit, Severe Disablement Allowance or Income Support for at least six months. It provides support from a personal adviser, jobsearch help, in-work training support worth £750 and a tax free Employment Credit of £60 a week for up to a year for those taking up full-time work, or £40 a week for those taking part-time work.
In addition the New Deal for Disabled People, which includes a large proportion of older benefit recipients, provides active help and encouragement for people with long-term illnesses or disabilities to move back into work.
The Performance and Innovation Unit Report "Winning the Generation Game" includes a number of recommendations for improving people's opportunity to contribute to society and the economy in their later working years. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Security, will be carrying forward these recommendations in his role as Cabinet Champion for Older People and Chair of the Ministerial Group on Older People.