§ Paul HolmesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people have entered the Enhanced New Deal 25 plus(a) once, (b) twice, (c) three times and (d) four or more times; and if he will make a statement. [175064]
§ Jane Kennedy[holding answer 21 May 2004]: The information requested is in the table:
People Entering Enhanced New Deal 25 plus1 Number of starts on the programme Number of people 1 157,110 2 35,150 3 18,170 41 Or more 7,820 1 Or more Source: New Deal Evaluation Database Through a combination of economic stability and radical labour market reforms, more than 1.9 million more people are in work now than in 1997 and unemployment at its lowest level for nearly 30 years.
Active labour market policies ensure people can take advantage of the many job opportunities coming up all the time. With UK unemployment the lowest for a generation, partly due to programmes like New Deal, the Government is extending help and support to other jobless people, especially lone parents and those with disabilities.
Claimant long term (one year plus) unemployment has been virtually eradicated for young people and has fallen by three-quarters for all adults since 1997. New Deal 25 plus has played an important role in this success, so far helping more than 173,000 people into work.
Notes:
1: Data relates to start of ND25 plus Enhanced Programme in April 2001 to December 2003