§ Mr. ClappisonTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions his Department has had with other Government Departments to encourage employment of new deal participants. [18057]
§ Mr. Nicholas BrownSince new deal started, the Employment Service Large Organisation Unit have worked continuously with Government Departments and agencies on the recruitment of new dealers. They have also developed a close working relationship with the Cabinet Office to encourage employment of new dealers within Government Departments. This has resulted in:
- 1. An event in March 2000 for representatives from all Government Departments to discuss ways to encourage further new deal recruitment within the civil service.
- 2. The New Deal Civil Service Development Forum was established in June 2000. Thirty Departments were represented in this forum. The aim of the forum is to share best practice in new deal recruitment and to discuss any issues and concerns Departments may have.
- 3. A Civil Service Gateway training provision, developed in February 2001, to address recruitment issues and further increase new deal take up within Departments.