Mr. ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Health(1)if he will make a statement on his Department's policy regarding NHS trusts' participation in the New Deal; [112193]
(2) if he will make a statement on his Department's policy with regard to NHS trusts using the services of Job Centre Plus. [112192]
§ Mr. HuttonThe Department of Health and the Department of Work and Pensions are working closely together to develop links between national health service employers and Jobcentre Plus, to promote the use of Jobcentre Plus and its policies to assist with NHS recruitment activities.
The Department of Health encourages NHS trusts to use Jobcentre Plus programmes, such as New Deal to ensure the local NHS workforce grows and reflects the local community. As part of national NHS recruitment campaigns, joint letters are sent from the Department of Health and the Department of Work and Pensions to all human resources directors in NHS trusts, encouraging trusts to register their vacancies with their local Jobcentres and Jobcentre Plus offices. Corresponding letters are sent to all Jobcentre Plus managers in England, with a selection of NHS careers posters and booklets to advertise careers in the NHS.