HC Deb 30 March 1994 vol 240 c745W
Mr. Rowe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment when the Employment Service annual performance agreement for 1994–95 will be published.

Mr. David Hunt

I have today placed copies of the Employment Service annual performance agreement for 1994–95 in the Library. The new targets represent a considerable challenge to the Employment Service. I have set a demanding target of placing 1.7 million unemployed people in jobs next year. And I have asked the chief executive to give a high priority to helping unemployed people who face particular difficulties in getting back to work.

We have agreed an exceptionally demanding target that 29.5 per cent. of total unemployed placings should be long-term claimants. This will mean finding jobs for at least 500,000 people who have been unemployed for six months or more. There will also be two new targets aimed at offering extra help to people who have been unemployed for 12 months and 24 months. I have also agreed the highest ever target for finding jobs for people with disabilities.