§ Mr. GreenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many unemployed 18 to 24 year olds invited to an initial New Deal interview had failed to respond by 30 September; and what percentage this constitutes of those 18 to 24 year olds invited to an initial interview. [57868]
§ Mr. Andrew Smith[holding answer 2 November 1998]: The latest Government Statistical figures (to the end of August 1998) show that almost 6,600 18–24 year olds have left the New Deal and Jobseekers Allowance before attending their initial New Deal interview. This constitutes 4 per cent. of all those who have started on the New Deal.
Where a young person fails to attend an interview following 3 invitations, and continues to try and claim JSA, they will be referred to adjudication. Figures to the end of September show that over 600 young people have already had sanctions imposed for failing to attend a New Deal interview.