HC Deb 02 March 1999 vol 326 cc610-1W
Mr. Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many jobless people under the age of 25 years have so far been enrolled in the New Deal scheme in (i) the East Worthing and Shoreham constituency, (ii) the Worthing travel-to-work area and (iii) West Sussex; and how many of them are in (i) subsidised jobs and (ii) unsubsidised jobs. [74205]

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 Leigh Lewis to Mr. Tim Loughton, dated 2 March 1999: As the Employment Service is an Executive Agency, the Secretary of State for Education and Employment has asked me to reply to your question about the numbers of young people participating in New Deal for 18–24 year olds in the East Worthing and Shoreham constituency; the Worthing travel to work area and West Sussex and the number who have secured subsidised and unsubsidised jobs. This is something which falls within the responsibilities delegated to me as Chief Executive of the Agency. I regret that separate figures are not available for constituencies or travel-to-work areas. Government Statistical Service figures are produced for Employment Service Unit of Delivery areas. Both Worthing and Shoreham fall within the West Sussex and Costal Plain Unit of Delivery. The latest Government Statistical Service figures to the end of December 1998, and including Employment Service management information to the end of January 1999, show that 366 young people have started on New Deal for 18–24 year olds in the West Sussex Coastal Plain Unit of Delivery. Of these, 68 have secured unsubsidised employment and 51 have started subsidised employment through the New Deal Employment option. In addition there will be other young people who have left the New Deal and stopped receiving Jobseeker's Allowance, without notifying the Employment Service of their reasons for leaving, who will have secured unsubsidised jobs. I hope this is helpful.