Written question asked by Jimmy Wray (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 April 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 28 April 2003. It was answered by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Monday, 28 April 2003 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 proposals he has to make the New Deal 50+ Scheme available to over 50s on the first day they become unemployed. - Inc figure and ref to "Simplicity Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement".

Answer: Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proposals he has to make the New Deal 50 Plus Scheme available to over 50s on the first day they become unemployed. [109130] Mr. Nicholas Brown: We have no plans for day one entry to New Deal 50 plus. New Deal programmes are aimed at those most in need of help to find sustainable employment and move from welfare to work. The majority of unemployed people, including those aged 50 and over, find work unassisted within the first six months of unemployment. Our Green Paper "Simplicity Security and Choice: Working and Saving for Retirement", sets out our proposals to further increase the employment of older people and to widen choice and opportunity for older people to stay in work longer. The proposals include a package of more intensive back to work help for people aged 50 and over including extending the support available through New Deal 50 Plus so that individually tailored help for each customer can be drawn from a range of possible options.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 109130; 404 c191W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Employment schemes Older workers Unemployment New deal for 50 plus
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk