§ 26. Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the operation of the new deal in Leicester. [81542]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithIn the Leicestershire and Rutland Unit of Delivery the Employment Service are leading the delivery of the New Deal for long term unemployed adults and for lone parents. Fernly Business Services lead the delivery of the New Deal for young people and Pelcombe Training Ltd. is responsible for the pilot launched in November for those aged 25 and over. I am encouraged by some of the innovative approaches being developed and the efforts being made to engage a wide range of local organisations, particularly ethnic minority groups and employers.