§ Mr. Win GriffithsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what support is available to unemployed single people over 25 to get work; what plans he has for further initiatives in this field. [140529]
§ Ms JowellThe Government are determined to tackle long-term unemployment. As a result of our economic and active labour market policies, the number of people aged 25 and over unemployed for two years or more has fallen by 63 per cent. since May 1997.
The New Deals are a key part of our efforts to tackle long-term unemployment. From April 2001 we will be introducing an enhanced New Deal for those aged 25 and over, which will provide high quality, intensive and individually tailored help. It will be much more flexible to ensure that we can address the barriers faced by each individual. Alongside this new programme, we are also testing a more radical approach in 15 "Employment Zones", in which individuals are, through the Personal Job Account, given a real say in how the money is spent in the effort to help them back into work.
This help for long-term unemployed people is part of an improved range of support for all unemployed people aged 25 and over to be introduced next year, which will begin on the first day of registered unemployment and increase in intensity in proportion to the individual's labour market disadvantage. There will be access to an extensive database of jobs, regular contact with people who can give advice on jobs and training opportunities, help with improving interview and job hunting techniques, help with fares to interview and training to refresh skills or learn new ones.