HC Deb 15 February 1999 vol 325 cc569-70W
Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have entered the New Deal for long-term unemployed people aged over 25 years in Hertfordshire since 29 June 1998; and how many have(a) left to enter unsubsidised jobs, (b) left to enter subsidised work, (c) returned to jobseekers' allowance and (d) entered education or training opportunities and work-based training for adults. [70247]

Mr. Andrew Smith

Responsibility 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 Richard Foster to Mr. Richard Page, dated 11 February 1999:

As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked Leigh Lewis to reply direct to your questions about New Deal for those aged over 25 years in the Hertfordshire area. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.

The latest Government Statistical Service figures to the end of November 1998 show that, 330 long-term unemployed people aged 25 or over in the Employment Service Hertfordshire Unit of Delivery have entered New Deal, since its inception in June 1998. Of those entering the New Deal advisory process, 17 have found unsubsidised work; 3 have found subsidised work; 1 has entered an Education and Training opportunity; and 1 has begun Work Based Training for Adults. Only one person has subsequently returned to claim Jobseekers Allowance.

I hope this is helpful.

Mr. Page

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people have entered the New Deal for the young unemployed in Hertfordshire; how many have left to enter unsubsidised work; and how many have transferred to other benefits. [70248]

Mr. Andrew Smith

Responsibility for the subject 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 Richard Foster to Mr. Richard Page, dated 11 February 1999:

As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked Leigh Lewis to reply direct to your question about New Deal for 18–24 year old participants in Hertfordshire. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to Mr. Lewis as Chief Executive of the Agency. I am replying in his absence.

The latest Government Statistical Service figures to the end of November 1998 and Provisional Management Information to the end of December 1998 show that, 702 young people in the Employment Service Hertfordshire Unit of Delivery have entered New Deal for 18–24 year olds. Of those leaving Gateway by Immediate Destination 185 have found unsubsidised work; 12 have found subsidised work; and 38 have moved onto other benefits.

I hope this is helpful.