§ 9. Dr. FrancisT o ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions about the extension of the new deal in Wales. [528]
§ Mr. TouhigMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State regularly attends meetings with ministerial colleagues, including the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, and I am planning a series of introductory meetings with my ministerial colleagues.
The Government's new deal programme has proved a very real success. We are keen to build on this success by extending the new deal 25+ to all over-25s who have been on jobseeker's allowance for at least 18 months; extending new deal for lone parents and extending new deal for disabled people to all those claiming invalidity benefit.