§ Ms Dari TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what targets he has set the Employment Service for 1998–99. [37768]
§ Mr. BlunkettI am today announcing the Employment Service Annual Performance Agreement (APA), which sets out a new Aim and Objectives for the Employment Service (ES) and the targets which I expect the ES to achieve in 1998–99. The ES is a key player in our Welfare to Work strategy and has lead responsibility for the effective delivery of the New Deal. The new Aim of the ES reflects its mission of contributing to individuals leading rewarding working lives, by helping people without a job to find work and employers to fill their vacancies. Special attention is focused on helping those at a disadvantage in the labour market move from welfare into work.
The new APA, and the new ES Aim and Objectives, are the result of an extensive consultation. The APA includes eight targets which will focus ES efforts on three key priorities: helping people into work, ensuring claimants are committed to active job search, and achieving high standards of customer service delivery.
Copies of the ES APA have today been placed in the Library. Further details are contained in the ES Operational Plan which will be placed in the Library by the end of April.