§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans there are to increase the financial incentives to employers who employ and retain young people under the New Deal programme. [63757]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownThere are no current plans to do so. However we have taken steps to increase both financial and training flexibilities for employers within the New Deal for Young People. Employers, especially small businesses, taking part in the programme have welcomed this increased flexibility.
Employers have a direct input into the programme through the National Employment Panel. This group (formerly known as the New Deal Task Force) was formed in 1997 to ensure that employers, and other key customers, have a strong and permanent voice within the Department.
422WThis co-operative approach has contributed to the success of the New Deal. Nearly 95,000 employers have signed up, half of whom have never participated in an employment programme before. Many more have taken on New Dealers without formally signing up for the programme, and still more have helped to support New Deal in other ways by providing training or advice on the design of the programme.