§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of persons aged 18 to 24 years who are(a) unemployed, (b) unemployed for more than six months, (c) unemployed for more than 12 months and (d) unemployed for more than two years found sustained unsubsidised jobs in each quarter since 1991. [25980]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownInformation is not available in the format requested. However, research evidence' suggests that of those who leave jobseeker's allowance for work, around three quarters do not return within the next three months.
1 Source:
JUVOS Cohort Survey
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans there are to establish a job transition service in the Cynon Valley. [26871]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownThe Job Transition Service began operating in April 2001. Since 28 November 2001 its work has continued under the new name of the Rapid Response Service (RRS).
The aim of the RRS is to support those affected by redundancy to make the transition into sustainable new jobs. The RRS responds to redundancies that have a significant impact on the local labour market. Each redundancy is different, and the exact nature of the help will be tailored to the needs of individuals, the local economy and the labour market concerned.
A dedicated RRS Senior Manager has been appointed in Wales, Scotland and each region of England. Some elements of the service are already in place while others are still being piloted. The RRS is on track to be launched in full in April 2002, with an additional £6 million being allocated to this work over the next 2 years.
The RRS has already provided specific assistance to people in the Cynon Valley affected by redundancies at Hitachi. Through an on-site jobshop employees were offered support to help find alternative employment and training opportunities. As a result of this support, to date over 60 people have been offered employment.