§ 19. Kevin BrennanTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what recent discussions he has had with the First Secretary about employment levels in Wales. [538]
§ Mr. Paul MurphyI regularly meet with the First Secretary of the National Assembly for Wales and discuss a wide range of issues including employment.
The Government's handling of the economy has provided the right conditions for growth and has seen employment in Wales rising by 34,000 since May 1997. Additionally the Government's new deal scheme has proved an enormous success enabling a 65 per cent. fall in the number of 18 to 24-year-olds unemployed and claiming the jobseeker's allowance for six months or more since new deal was launched throughout Wales.