§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans there are to extend employment zones, action teams for jobs and JobCentre Plus to the Cynon Valley. [26872]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownAn extension of the Action Team for Jobs initiative was announced in the 2001 Budget. This included a new Action Team in Rhondda-Cynon-Taff county borough, which started on 15 October 2001. The team works in the three most employment-deprived wards in the Cynon Valley constituency; Aberaman South, Mountain Ash West and Pen-y-waun.
There are no plans at present to extend Employment Zones to Cynon Valley. We are currently fully evaluating the Zones before deciding how to take the initiative further. The full range of JobCentre help is available to the long-term unemployed in Cynon Valley. This includes new deal 25 Plus, which was extended and enhanced last April to help more long-term unemployed people get jobs and remain in them.
JobCentre Plus is currently being delivered successfully in 56 pathfinder offices. The work-focused interview process is also operating in 39 further sites, including the Aberdare district office. JobCentre Plus will come into existence as a national organisation at the beginning of April 2002.