§ Mr. WigginTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many participants there have been in the Positive Activities for Young People scheme since it was established; how many(a) permanent and (b) temporary staff are employed in the scheme; and what assessment he has made of the scheme's impact on street crime. [126768]
§ Margaret HodgeThe new Positive Activities programme commenced on 1 May 2003. Information is currently being collected from each lead delivery agency to assess what provision there was over the Whitsun half term. Information for all areas is expected to be available by early August. The first quarterly report, reflecting the provision under PAYP so far, will be published in the autumn.
The employment of staff to deliver PAYP is an issue for Lead Delivery Agents and local delivery partners. It is for them to decide how best to utilise the funding that is provided to them. In addition, £13.75 million has been allocated to Connexions Partnerships for key workers which will provide 435 full-time equivalent posts. These workers will provide targeted support to those young people on the scheme who are most at risk.