Written question asked by Malcolm Savidge (Labour) on Wednesday, 13 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 25 November 2002. It was answered by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Monday, 25 November 2002 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, What impact the New Deal for 25 plus has had on levels of unemployment. (Failed OPQ).

Answer: Mr. Savidge: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what impact the New Deal for 25 plus has had on levels of unemployment. [81291] Mr. Nicholas Brown: Since 1997, long-term unemployment has been cut by around three quarters, to its lowest level for more than 25 years. New Deal 25 plus has played an important part in this success, so far helping over 112,000 people into work (90 in my hon. Friend's constituency). In April 2001 New Deal 25 plus was re-engineered, to provide a flexible, more individually-tailored service to help more people get jobs and remain in them. The enhanced programme is performing well, increasing the rate at which participants enter jobs. We are building on this success and enhancing and extending New Deal 25 plus even further. Next April we will be piloting more intensive help during the Gateway period and extending eligibility to all jobseekers who have been unemployed for 18 months out of the previous three years.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 81291; 395 c13-4W
Session: 2002-03
Question not reached: Yes
Subjects: Employment schemes Unemployment New deal schemes New deal for long term unemployed
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk