HC Deb 21 October 2002 vol 391 cc107-8W
Mr. Jenkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the New Deal for 50 plus. [73076]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

New Deal 50 plus has been successful with over 81,000 people so far moving into work and claiming the Employment Credit. Evaluation of the programme has shown that it is providing people with the increased motivation and confidence they need to find work.

The success of New Deal 50 plus is contributing to our wider campaign to tackle age discrimination and improve prospects of older people.

Mrs. Anne Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the take-up of the New Deal for Lone Parents. [73077]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

By the end of June this year nearly 300,000 lone parents had participated in the New Deal and over half of these had found work, including 170 in my hon. Friend's constituency.

We are continuing to roll out compulsory Personal Adviser meetings for lone parents claiming Income Support. These meetings ensure that lone parents find out about the New Deal and all the other help and support we have introduced to enable them to move into work.

Mr. Rooney

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the New Deal for lone parents. [73088]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

We know that nine out of ten lone parents want to work and the New Deal for Lone Parents, along with a wide range of measures we have introduced, is helping them to help themselves. Since 1997 the number of lone parents dependent on Income Support has fallen by over 150,000.

The New Deal for Lone Parents is part of our longterm investment to make a real difference to the lives of lone parents and lift them and their children out of poverty.

Mr. Khabra

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what plans he has to increase the involvement of employers in the formulation of New Deal programmes. [73094]

Mr. Nicholas Brown

Employers are a key partner in the achievement of our objectives to tackle poverty by helping more people move into work. We want employers to have a strong voice in the development of our welfare to work policies and services.

The National Employment Panel is an employer-led body that provides independent advice to Ministers on the design, delivery and performance of the UK Government's labour market policies and programmes. Its remit encompasses all the New Deals and other welfare to work activities delivered by the Department and its partner organisations at both national and local levels.