HC Deb 21 March 2001 vol 365 cc261-3W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many(a) black and (b) Asian people have taken part in the New Deal employment scheme; what percentages of (i) black, (ii) Asian and (iii) white unemployed people have found employment through it in each borough of Shropshire; and if he will make a statement. [154507]

Ms Jowell

The New Deals have had a valuable impact on many local communities, tackling unemployment, and the long-lasting damage that it can cause, with a new and innovative approach. Latest figures, to the end of December 2000, for Shropshire show the following take-up of New Deal given in the tables:

New Deal for young people statistics—to December 2000
Great Britain Starts
White 465,10
Black 32,300
Asian 36,400

Shropshire unit of delivery Starts Total jobs As a percentage of starts
White 2,679 1.492 56
Black 24 11 46
Asian 49 32 65

New Deal 25+statistics—to December 2000
Great Britain Starts
White 356,749
Black 21,338
Asian 11,938

Shropshire unit of delivery Starts Total jobs As a percentage of starts
White 1,410 214 15
Black 17 12 —
Asian 110 11 —
1Figures less than 10 make percentages unreliable.

New Deal for lone parents statistics—to December 2000
Great Britain Starts
White 129,506
Black 8,624
Asian 2,343

Shropshire unit of delivery Starts Total jobs As a percentage of starts
White 1,172 433 37
Black 16 18 —
Asian 10 12 —
1Figures less than 10 make percentages unreliable

Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people in Shrewsbury and Atcham have benefited from the New Deal since last May 1997; and if he will make a statement. [154658]

Ms Jowell

In the period from the start of the New Deal for Young People, April 1998 to December 2000, there have been 478 starts to the programme in Shrewsbury and Atcham. Of these, 240 young people have gained employment from the programme.

Nationally, in addition to the 274,000 young people recorded as gaining jobs, we estimate a further 83,000 young people gained jobs from New Deal.