§ Mr. Barry JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what discussions he has had with the First Secretary concerning the New Deal for lone parents; and if he will make a statement. [129502]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI have regular discussions with the First Secretary on a range of UK Government policies including the New Deal.
The New Deal for Lone Parents was piloted in Cardiff and the Vale of Glamorgan from July 1997 and implemented countrywide in October 1998. To the end of March 2000, about 10,800 lone parents in Wales had attended an initial interview. More than 10,000 of these (93 per cent.) agreed to participate in the scheme, which provides advice and guidance on finding and retaining suitable work.
To date, some 3,600 lone parents in Wales have secured jobs through the New Deal.