HC Deb 26 February 1998 vol 307 cc359-60W
4. Mr. Hesford

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to encourage employers to become involved in the new deal. [29881]

Mr. Blunkett

The Employment Service, the Task Force, many Private Sector secondees and, of course, our local partners like Training and Enterprise Councils and Chambers of Commerce, are actively involved in engaging the support of employers across the country.

28. Miss Melanie Johnson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the measures he is taking to ensure the new deal matches the employment needs of businesses. [29909]

Mr. Andrew Smith

We are working with businesses at both local and National levels to ensure that New Deal helps meet their employment needs and the needs of young people. For example, on 9 February, with the construction industry we launched a special framework for New Deal that will help meet skill needs within that sector, and more generally we have appointed account managers to work with National employers to help support their involvement.

29. Mr. Prosser

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received from the retail sector about the new deal proposals. [29911]

Mr. Andrew Smith

I refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave earlier to my hon. Friend the Member for Edmonton (Mr. Love).

Mr. Hanson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the number of companies and businesses participating in the new deal. [29904]

Mr. Andrew Smith

Businesses at local and National level are working with us to plan and deliver New Deal, for example through the New Deal Task Force. Over 1,100 companies have already signed Employer Agreements with more to follow.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the New Deal measures in Cumbria. [29885]

Mr. Alan Howarth

It is, of course, early days for this ambitious undertaking, but I am encouraged by the impressive start to New Deal Pathfinders including the one in Cumbria. Across the country we have already seen over 10,000 young people enter the Gateway, seen over 1,300 employer agreements signed and seen over 4,400 clients referred to unsubsidised jobs.