§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many disabled people have so far obtained employment through the New Deal for Disabled People. [97751]
§ Ms HodgeThe New Deal for Disabled People is at the pilot stage with 22 innovative schemes and 12 personal adviser pilot areas now operational. The pilots are being brought in over time with the first pilots launched last Autumn. During September, 265 people moved into work through the pilots. Since the first innovative schemes and personal adviser pilot areas started the total number of people placed into work to the end of September 1999 is 1,177.
§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is(a) expenditure to date and (b) planned expenditure over the next two years on the New Deal for Disabled People. [97775]
§ Ms Hodge[holding answer 8 November 1999]: £195 million (£186 million for Great Britain) has been set aside for the New Deal for Disabled People over the lifetime of this Parliament. £5 million has been allocated for innovative schemes; £24 million for 12 personal adviser pilot areas; and £1.6 million to pilot benefit changes. Pilots have started progressively over the last 15 months, and £8 million had been spent by the end of September 1999. We are actively considering what help could be provided nationally taking account of emerging findings from the pilots.