§ 10. Mr. BrowneTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what steps he is taking to assist the unemployed in Scotland to take up available jobs. [121881]
§ Mr. WilsonThe Secretary of State and I take a close interest in assisting unemployed people in Scotland find work and in the New Deal. We frequently carry out New Deal engagements and take every opportunity to publicise its success and to encourage employers to participate. The Secretary of State wrote on 4 May encouraging all Scottish Members to work closely with the Employment Service to help bring together jobseekers and employers with vacancies within their constituencies. The New Deal has helped nearly 23,000 young people into work since its introduction in April 1998.