§ Mr. PicklesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many people on Incapacity Benefit have, under the personal adviser section of the New Deal for the Disabled,(a) been contacted by a Personal Adviser, (b) attended an initial interview, (c) had a complete employability assessment, (d) had an agreed individual action plan, (e) found part-time employment as a result of the programme and (f) found full-time employment as a result of the programme. [118611]
§ Ms HodgeWe have been piloting the New Deal for Disabled People since autumn 1998. The latest available figures are those for the period up to 25 February 2000 covering the 12 personal adviser pilot areas.
10,070 people have contacted and met a Personal Adviser to discuss their employment prospects. Some 6,650 people have developed an employment-focused action plan following a full assessment of their employment prospects.
Our experience shows that for many in the client group the journey back to work will be lengthy. I am pleased therefore to be able to say that some 1,843 people had found work, representing 56 per cent. of those who had completed their action plans. Of these 1,081 were in full-time work and 551 in part-time work. A further 211 had become self-employed, entered supported employment or had been helped to retain their current jobs.
417WIn addition, 607 people had started work as a result of participating in innovative schemes.