§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) how many people have been employed by his Department in each of the last three years under(a) the New Deal for Young People, (b) the New Deal for the Over 50s and (c) the New Deal for Lone Parents; and at what cost, listed by category to public funds; [44921]
(2) how many people employed by his Department under the New Deal for Young People in each of the last four years have subsequently (a) found unsubsidised employment for more than 13 weeks and (b) returned to jobseeker's allowance or other benefits. [44903]
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§ Dr. MoonieData on the number of New Deal appointments under the programme for Young People was recored from the beginning of the scheme until April 2001. From then, data also included the over 50s and lone parents programmes. Since October 2001 data has not been held centrally on the New Deal programmes. Available data are detailed in the following table:
Financial year Lone parents Over 50s Young people aged 18–24 Total numbers rectuited under New Deal (includes those aged 25 and over) 1998–99 n/a n/a 11 17 1999–2000 n/a n/a 35 58 2000–01 n/a n/a 20 43 2001–02 (until October 2001) 0 2 6 10 Forty-two New Deal recruits subsequently became permanent members of staff. Others who have left the scheme will have had the opportunity to acquire new skills and enhance their marketability for employment elsewhere, but information is not held on whether they returned to jobseekers allowance or other benefits. New Deal recruits take up existing vacancies so extra costs to public funds are limited to the subsidy, where appropriate, and any training and development that may be needed. Details of costs are not available and could only be provided at disproportionate cost.