§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the nationwide implementation progress of the programme Recruit. [3017]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownRecruit is a pilot initiative offering help to small businesses which employ people from deprived areas through New Deal.
Pilots have been operational since April 2001 and will run until December 2001 when its impact will be evaluated.
Recruit consolidates and simplifies the wage subsidy of the New Deal. The subsidy is currently paid weekly. Under Recruit, it will be paid in two lump sums, one on recruitment and the second to support retention after 13 weeks.
No decisions have been taken on national implementation.