HC Deb 15 July 1997 vol 298 cc116-7W
Mrs. Gorman

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of the New Deal's first year budget has been allocated to the provision of roadshows and regional conferences. [8204]

Mr. Andrew Smith

Some preliminary work has been undertaken to organise and deliver regional events.

It is not possible yet to say what proportion of the first year's budget is to be allocated to these events as the total budget for the delivery of the New Deal is still to be allocated.

Mrs. Gorman

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the total in direct payments each person will receive over their six month period on the New Deal under each of the options. [8211]

Mr. Smith

Under the option of a job with an employer, young people will be paid the wage offered by their employers for the jobs they are doing. Young people who take up a job with a voluntary sector employer or in our Environment Taskforce will receive an allowance equivalent to benefit and will remain entitled to passported benefits: in addition, they will receive a grant of up to £400 paid in instalments. Those young people who take up the option of full-time education and training for up to twelve months will also receive an allowance equivalent to benefit and remain entitled to passported benefits: they will also have access to a discretionary grant to help with travel and other costs.

Mrs. Gorman

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the estimated annual budget of the Advisory Task Force in the New Deal. [8206]

Mr. Smith

Members of the New Deal Advisory Task Force will be unpaid and will be supported by a small secretariat. The Task Force will be given the resources it needs to carry out the important role assigned to it in the Government's proposals for young and long-term unemployed people. It is not yet possible to estimate the annual budget.

Mr. Fitzpatrick

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) when the Government plans to extend the welfare to work assistance offered to the young and long-term unemployed and lone parents to those on incapacity benefit; [8034]

(2) what assistance whilst training and working will be given to those on incapacity benefit under the Government's New Deal proposals for the unemployed. [8036]

Mr. Smith

The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his budget speech on 2 July that the Government was to set aside an additional £195 million to help those who are disabled or on Incapacity Benefit who want training or work and for other measures.

As on Welfare to Work and the New Deal generally, the Departments for Education and Employment and Social Security will work closely together, to ensure this money is used effectively to encourage and enable disadvantaged disabled people to access new training and work opportunities.

We will make an announcement about the type of assistance to be provided as soon as possible.