New Deal (Hansard, 11 January 2001)

§ 26. Mr. Loughton
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of recruits to the New Deal are in unsubsidised employment. [143485]

§ Ms Jowell
New Deal has delivered for young people and the economy: figures to the end of October 2000 show that 557,300 young people have joined the New Deal and we know that 262,440 of these young people have moved from benefits to work. Over 72 per cent. of the young people who have left New Deal for employment are now off Jobseeker's Allowance benefits.
40 per cent. of young people who have so far left New Deal go into sustained unsubsidised employment—in addition, independent research has shown that nearly three fifths of those recorded as leaving for an unknown destination do, in fact, find work. Of course many more 620W are still gaining help in training and work experience which evidence shows improves their long term employment prospects.

§ 31. Mr. Grieve
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what recent representations on the New Deal he has received from employers. [143490]

§ Ms Jowell
The Employment Service is in constant touch with employers across the country to improve its service to them. This is borne out by a record response from employers to New Deal, with over 80,000 having signed Employer Agreements to date.
While we continue to make improvement, an independent survey of employers shows that 84 per cent. are satisfied or very satisfied with the service they receive from the Employment Service.

§ 36. Mr. Green
To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the destination of people leaving the New Deal. [143495]

§ Ms Jowell
Figures to the end of October 2000 show that 457,100 young people have left the New Deal. Of these, 40 per cent. entered sustained unsubsidised employment, 11 per cent. transferred to another benefit, 20 per cent. left to another known destination, and 29 per cent. left to an unknown destination. However, independent research has shown that nearly three fifths of those recorded as leaving for an unknown destination do, in fact, find work.
New Deal's success has meant that over 250,000 young people have been helped into work. We will build on that success and strengthen the New Deal so that it will assist even more people and help ensure that the current low unemployment rate continues.