New Deal for Young People

HC Deb 26 April 2001 vol 367 c352W

19. Dan Norris

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the progress of the New Deal for Young People. [157926]

Ms Jowell

The New Deal is at the centre of this Government's drive to deliver employment opportunities for all. Almost 280,000 young people have found jobs through the New Deal, which has helped virtually to eradicate long-term youth unemployment. The New Deal has also won unprecedented support from employers, almost 85,000 of whom have signed up to the programme. The next phase of the New Deal will build on our success in equipping people with the skills and experience employers need, and intensify the help available to those at greatest disadvantage in the labour market.