Written question asked by Ed Balls (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 December 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 December 2011. It was answered by Lord Grayling (Conservative) on Monday, 19 December 2011 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Pay

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the likely take-up by businesses of the wage incentives announced in the autumn forecast.

Answer: The Youth Contracts provides funding for 160,000 job subsidies which will be available to employers for providing work to young people who are being supported through the Work programme. Business groups such as the CBI have called for a new incentive to encourage companies to take on young people.Work programme providers will work with employers and young people to deliver these opportunities. We are currently working with Work Programme providers and employers on the design and implementation of the job subsidy.

Secondary information