§ Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many women in Manchester Central have benefited from(a) the New Deal for Lone Parents and (b) the New Deal for Partners since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [177740]
§ Jane KennedyThrough the New Deal we have introduced a wide range of initiatives to help individuals improve their employment prospects by giving them the skills, support and confidence they need to move into work. From 12 April we enhanced the New Deal for Partners in order to offer partners taking part in that programme the same level of help and support as our successful New Deal for Lone Parents programme. Also from this April we have started to roll out Work Focused Interviews for Partners, offering greater support to partners of benefit recipients.
1308W1,320 women have started New Deal for Lone Parents in Manchester, Central since the beginning of the programme in October 1998, of whom, 680 have gained a job: Information on the number of women who have benefited from the New Deal for Partners is not available.