§ 30. Mr. RosindellTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what action is being taken to alleviate long-term unemployment in Romford. [19171]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownOur aim is employment opportunity for all throughout the country. We have put in place a framework that delivers:
- a platform of economic stability and low inflation, to promote sustained growth in output and jobs;
- investment in education and training so people have the skills they need to take up work;
- a labour market policy with a strong work focus so all jobless people have access to vacancies, advice and help with jobsearch;
- a range of new deal programmes which help disadvantaged groups. including the long-term unemployed, move from welfare into work;
- policies such as the national minimum wage and working families tax credit designed to make work pay; and
- locally focused initiatives designed to tackle the problems of particular areas.
Since 1997, these policies, alongside continued economic growth, have helped to reduce long-term unemployment by 55 per cent. in Romford.
The new deal for young people and new deal 25 plus are playing an important part in helping long-term unemployed people improve their job prospects and move into work in Romford. Up to the end of September, they had helped over 350 long-term unemployed people move into jobs in the constituency.