HC Deb 10 December 2001 vol 376 c609W
37. Dr. Ladyman

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement about the effectiveness of action teams for jobs. [19178]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

Action teams for jobs are one of a range of initiatives we have introduced to help people move into work. Action teams are performing well, so far helping over 15,500 jobless people in the country's most employment deprived areas move into work (41 per cent. of participants). Up to mid-October 2001, the Thanet action team had helped 727 people into work.

In October, we increased the number of action teams from 40 to 53, and in January 2002 we will increase the number further, to 63.