§ Mr. KeetchTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have had their benefits sanctioned under the New Deal for the Young Unemployed to date; what reasons have been given for the sanctioning; how many people his Department expects to sanction over the current financial year; and if he will make statement. [42569]
§ Mr. Andrew Smith[holding answer 20 May 1998]: Since the start of New Deal, around 170 cases have been referred to Independent Adjudication and approximately 35 sanctions have been applied. Main reasons for sanctions are failure to attend adviser interviews and leaving options early. New Deal is a client driven initiative and there are no estimates or targets for sanctions.