§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many young people have found employment through the New Dell in(a) the north-west region and (b) Lancashire. [150650]
§ Ms JowellFigures to the end of November 2000 show that the following numbers of young people have found employment through New Deal in the north-west region and Lancashire:718W
North-west region Lancashire Total jobs 39,666 5,171 of which are sustained 30,132 3,894 Other 9,534 1,277
§ Dr. Jack CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what his most recent estimate is of the take up of the New Deal for(a) young people, (b) lone parents, (c) people with disabilities and (d) older people in Copeland; and if he will make a statement on its operation. [150684]
§ Ms Jowell[holding answer 26 February 2001]: Latest figures, to the end of November 2000, for Copeland parliamentary constituency show the following take-up of the New Deal:
Numbers starting New Deal New Deal for young people 1,375 New deal for lone parents 234 New deal for 25+ 1,103 Statistics on New Deal for People with Disabilities are not available at constituency level. To date the New Deal for Disabled People has operated only in a limited number of locations, not including Copeland. 24 innovative schemes have been testing new ways of helping disabled people into work and 12 Personal Adviser pilots have helped disabled people to overcome their particular barriers to work.
The New Deal for Disabled People will be extended on a national basis, with services for disabled clients beginning from July 2001.
The approach which underpins the New Deal programmes is one which links equality of opportunity and investment in skills to economic prosperity and labour market expansion.