HC Deb 24 July 1997 vol 298 cc748-9W
23. Ms Atherton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he will take to ensure the quality of the provisions under the Government's welfare-to-work plans. [8620]

Mr. Andrew Smith

We intend, throughout the design and implementation of our welfare-to-work provision, to define clear standards of quality designed to meet the needs of our clients. We will set in place mechanisms to ensure that the Employment Service and its partners share and deliver those standards rigorously and consistently.

30. Mr. Rowlands

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the training requirements expected of employers who participate in the welfare-to-work programme. [8627]

Mr. Alan Howarth

Under our new deal for young people, we will expect employers to provide, or release participants for, one day's training or its equivalent each week, leading towards an accredited qualification. We are making £750 available per person, on top of all other costs, for this purpose.

We will be working in partnership with employers, training and enterprise councils and other key organisations to ensure that the training is of high quality.