§ Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what will be the impact of the New Deal for the young unemployed on the number of job club places available. [29772]
§ Mr. Alan HowarthResponsibility for the subject of the question has been delegated to the Employment Service agency under its Chief Executive. I have asked him to arrange for a reply to be given.
Letter from Leigh Lewis to Mr. Graham Brady, dated 27 February 1998.
The Secretary of State has asked me to reply to your question about the impact of New Deal upon the number of Jobclub places available. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Employment Service.In planning our programme provision for 1998/99 we have taken into account the general fall in unemployment as well as the need to avoid duplication of New Deal opportunities. Overall the number of Jobclub places is likely to be reduced by some 15% compared with a fall over the last year of 37% in the number of people unemployed for more than six months.480WMy District Managers are currently consulting with local partners to determine which types of provision will be most effective in meeting the needs of each locality.I hope this is helpful.