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Dept for Work and Pensions

Answer

Mr. Kirkwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what projects will be undertaken by the Employment Advisory Panel; what its budget is; how many support staff it will have; to whom it will report; and when. [12942] Mr. Nicholas Brown: The National Employment Panel is an employer-led body which provides independent advice to Ministers on the design, delivery and performance of the UK Government's labour market policies and programmes. Its remit encompasses all the new deals and other welfare-to-work activities delivered by the Department for Work and Pensions, Jobcentre Plus and partner organisations at the national and local levels. Projects will include a review to examine how effectively welfare-to-work programmes are addressing the needs of the most disadvantaged across the new deal programmes; a new skills sub-group to advise on links between welfare-to-work initiatives and work force development; and work to promote equal access to employment for ethnic minorities through a standing Minority Ethnic Advisory Group. The National Employment Panel is funded by the Department for Work and Pensions. It has a budget of £603,000 per annum. It is supported by 15 staff of whom two are funded by private employers. The National Employment Panel reports on a regular basis to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions and the Chancellor of the Exchequer. The skills sub-group will report to the Minister responsible for adult skills, the Under-Secretary of State for Education and Skills, my hon. Friend the Member for Wentworth (John Healey).

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

374 c784-5W; 12942

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Advisory bodies Employment National Employment Panel

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk