§ Mr. DavidsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment he has made of the impact of the New Deal for Young People on levels of long-term unemployment among young people in Glasgow, Pollok. [130296]
§ Ms JowellThe New Deal for Young People is aimed at people aged 18–24 who have been claiming unemployment benefits for six months or more.
Claimant unemployment among this group has fallen by 70 per cent. in the three years since April 1997 and by 56 per cent. since April 1998 when the New Deal was introduced. Part of this fall is due to the delivery of a strong and stable economy, but the New Deal for Young People has helped unemployment to fall even faster. The fall of 56 per cent. since the New Deal was introduced compares with a fall of 18 per cent. in total unemployment, 23 per cent. in total youth (18–24) unemployment and 26 per cent. in the total number unemployed for six months or more. The effect of the New Deal is confirmed by independent research from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research.
84WIt is not possible to measure the New Deal effect exactly in each constituency. However, in Glasgow, Pollok the falls in unemployment among the New Deal client group have also been substantially faster than for other groups. In Glasgow, Pollok constituency in the two years since April 1998 claimant unemployment among those aged 18–24, unemployed for six months or more, has fallen by 68 per cent. from 315 to 101. This compares with a fall of 18 per cent. in total unemployment, 28 per cent. in total youth (18–24) unemployment, and 32 per cent. in the total number unemployed for six months or more.