HC Deb 11 June 2003 vol 406 cc52-4WS
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Malcolm Wicks)

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of Exchequer announced last November plans to test a new approach of offering intensive support to residents in neighbourhoods with very high concentrations of worklessness.

From April 2004 pilots will begin in 12 sites to help residents access the jobs that can often be found within travelling distance of where they live. In each pilot area residents claiming Jobseeker's Allowance will benefit from accelerated access onto the New Deal programmes after just three months of unemployment partners and lone [parents will attend more frequent interviews with personal advisers new Incapacity Benefit claimants will also be given more help to ensure that employment opportunities and barriers to work are regularly discussed. There will be access to a flexible discretionary fund to allow personal advisers, working in cooperation with Local Strategic Partnerships. To tackle the substantial and varied barriers that prevent residents in these neighbourhoods from returning to work. This will prove flexibility to deliver services in ways that best meet the needs of the local community.

I can now announce that these pilots will be allocated in neighbourhoods based in the local authority wards set out in the table. Over the coming months Jobcentre Plus will work with Local Strategic Partnerships and other key stakeholders to plan how the pilots will operate locally to deliver the help residents need.

Local Authority Wards
Tower Hamlets Bromley-by-Bow East India & Lansbury Limehouse
Knowsley Northwood
Wirral Birkenhead
Local Authority Wards
Sheffield Manor
Newcastle-upon-Tyne Monkchester
Birmingham Aston
Middlesbrough Thorntree North Ormesby Barmbles Farm
Swansea Penderry
Great Yarmouth Central & Northgate Nelson
Hastings Castle
Glasgow City Parkhead Ward
Glasgow City Hutchesontown Ward