§ 11. Mr. Kevin HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the effect the new deal has had on long-term unemployment in Doncaster, North. [36335]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownSince 1997 in Doncaster, North, the number of long-term unemployed people has fallen by 85 per cent., and the number of long-term unemployed young people has been cut by 83 per cent.
Our welfare to work initiatives have helped in this success. The new deal has helped over 900 young people into work in Doncaster, North. And the Employment Zone and Action Team for Jobs which operate in my hon Friend's constituency have between them helped over 1,000 of the most disadvantaged jobless people in Doncaster into work.
I will be visiting the Doncaster Employment Zone on 7 March to see its work for myself.