HC Deb 23 March 2001 vol 365 c405W
Mr. Blizzard

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what mechanism exists for determining whether direct displaccment of existing employees has taken place in firms participating in the New Deal. [155063]

Ms Jowell

Displacement is monitored by a combination of macro-economic assessment and employer surveys. Recent research undertaken by the National Institute for Economic and Social Research (NIESR) and the Policy Institute found little evidence of displacement. New Deal has already placed 274,000 young people and almost 70,000 older long-term unemployed people into jobs. Unemployment is at its lowest for 25 years and employment is at its highest ever.

Mr. Linton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many 18 to 24-yearolds in Battersea have entered(a) voluntary work, (b) work experience, (c) education and training and (d) unsubsidised employment through the New Deal in the last year. [154790]

Ms Jowell

For the period January 2000 to December 2000 in the constituency of Battersea there have been seven starts to the Voluntary Sector Option and 17 starts to the Full Time Education and Training Option. 115 young people have started an unsubsidised job during the same period.

All New Deal options contain an element of work experience and training. There have been 29 starts to options during the year 2000.