§ 20. Mr. GogginsTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what action he is taking to improve employment incentives for the long-term unemployed. [116622]
§ Mr. Andrew SmithMy right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced in his recent Budget a variety of measures to help encourage the long-term unemployed back into work. These include
Expanding and strengthening the New Deal 25 plus to bring into line the rights and responsibilities for those over 25 that have so effectively helped those under 25 in the New Deal for Young People;Employment Zones and Action Teams to begin work with long-term unemployed people in the most deprived areas of the country to help them to address the barriers which are preventing them from finding work;The Working Families Tax Credit which will deliver a minimum income guarantee of £214 for a family with someone in full-time work from April 2001; andThe new Job Grant, alongside Housing Benefit and Income Support Mortgage Interest run ons, which are easing the transition into work from benefits.Alongside these the Government have also announced that from October the adult rate of the National Minimum Wage will be increased to £3.70 per hour, continuing to ensure greater decency and fairness in the workplace and making work pay.