§ 9. Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has for improving the employment opportunities of the disabled in Scotland through(a) the New Deal and (b) other means. [130575]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Chancellor announced in the Budget the first stage in developing nationwide services to help disabled people find work, building on the experience of the pilots and innovative schemes in the New Deal for Disabled People. Other recent measures to improve employment opportunities for disabled people include: the establishment of the Disability Rights Commission, the Disabled Person's Tax Credit and the modernisations of Remploy and of the Supported Employment Programme.
§ 11. Mr. BradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the First Minister on the implementation of the New Deal in Scotland. [130577]
§ 16. Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what discussions he has had with the First Minister about the operation of the New Deal in Scotland. [130583]
§ Mr. WilsonMy right hon. Friend has frequent discussions with Scottish Ministers on a wide range of issues, including the implementation of the New Deal. The New Deal has been an outstanding success. It has placed 25,000 young people into jobs in Scotland since it began two years ago. In April, 1,000 young people found work through the New Deal. And 3,600 people in Scotland have found work under the New Deal 25+.
My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced last week that because of the success of the New Deal there is an underspend which will enable us to fund it well into the next Parliament.