§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assistance, in terms of extra resources and preparatory training, will be given to National Health Service trusts when recruiting new employees through the New Deal. [37998]
§ Mr. MilburnEmployees recruited through the new deal will receive the same induction and training as any new employee in the National Health Service. Employers participating in the scheme will receive a weekly subsidy for six months. A £750 allowance to support training, leading to a recognised qualification is also available. In addition the Employment Service offers practical help, advice and support to employers involved in new deal and aims to fill vacancies quickly, efficiently and appropriately when a job and person specification have been placed with them.
I wrote to health authority and NHS trust chairmen on 11 March in a joint letter with my right hon. Friend the Minister for Employment, Welfare to Work and Disability Rights telling them of the benefits of the schemes and encouraging NHS employers to support the welfare to work programmes. The NHS Executive is issuing further guidance on the scheme and the benefits to the NHS.