§ 27. Mr. Ronnie CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to enable the hardest-to-help jobless people find work. [3602]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownWe have introduced a wide range of New Deals which help disadvantaged groups to move from welfare into work. These have helped well over half a million people move into work, and given thousands more the skills and confidence to compete more effectively in the labour market.
We are further improving the services available for the hardest to help, such as a £40 million package of help for unemployed drug mis-users, and a further package for a wider group including ex-offenders and the homeless.
We have also introduced Action Teams for Jobs and Employment Zones which are targeting the most deprived areas. Between them they have already helped over 26,000 people into jobs. We are increasing the number of Action Teams from 40 to 53 this month, and to 63 in January 2002. We have also extended Employment Zones until March 2003.
§ 28. Mrs. MahonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to help people in deprived areas in West Yorkshire find work. [3603]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownOur welfare to work initiatives have helped people into work in all parts of the country. Our New Deals have been a success, playing an important part in reducing claimant unemployment in West Yorkshire by almost 40 per cent. since 1997.
We are building on that success, and with the introduction of Jobcentre Plus we will offer a flexible, individual service for every person of working age on benefit.