HC Deb 15 March 2001 vol 364 c727W
29. Mr. Healey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the performance of and future plans for Employment Zones. [152579]

Ms Jowell

Employment Zones have been running only since April 2000 but are already getting substantial numbers of the hardest to help into work. The Government will build on this early success by extending the existing zones for an additional 12 months. Subject to satisfactory evaluation of the existing zones in the coming months the Government will consider extending Employment Zones to new areas and to other claimant groups, for example, lone parents.