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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will investigate the procedures by which companies and work forces can access the rapid response fund. [1678] John Healey: [holding answer 3 July 2001]: We continually monitor the rapid response fund to ensure it is used as intended--to provide specialist advice, training and other support to people involved in redundancies that have a significant impact on the local labour market and where no alternative existing provision is available. Proposals are considered against a variety of criteria that include the impact of the redundancy on the local labour market, the level of partnership involvement, clear outputs and value for money. We also expect training proposals to be matched as far as possible to the needs of employers with vacancies so that people can move quickly into new jobs. DfES officials make every effort to ensure bids submitted via regional development agencies are processed as quickly as possible and provide an initial approval decision within three working days. The fund is designed to be as flexible as possible and, within the last year, we have introduced changes to increase its flexibility and make it more responsive to local needs. Demand is high and has increased significantly over the last six months.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

1678; 371 c176W

Session

2001-02

Subjects

Advisory services Administrative delays Government assistance Redundancy Training Vacancies Regional development agencies Labour market Rapid Response Fund

Link

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