Employment Development Fund

HC Deb 15 March 2004 vol 419 cc91-2W

Mr. Laws

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost of the Employment Development Fund was for each year from 1997–98 to 2005–06 (planned); what its purpose is; and if he will make a statement. [156703]

Mr. Browne

The Employment Development Fund (EDF) was created in autumn 2001 to provide funds for the continued development of our Welfare to Work agenda, which has been successful in helping to reduce unemployment to its lowest level since 1975.

EDF funds were primarily allocated to part-fund the national roll out of Jobcentre Plus, which delivers an enhanced work-focused service to all working age people. Remaining EDF funds were allocated to fund wider Welfare to Work policies.

The EDF provided funds of £86 million in 2001–02; £577 million in 2002–03 and £564 million in 2003–04. The use of funds available from the EDF have now been agreed and the fund no longer exists.