Our welfare to work programmes have been successful in substantially reducing youth unemployment and, since 1997, long-term youth unemployment has been virtually eradicated. In addition, youth claimant unemployment is close to its lowest level for 30 years. In Hartlepool, youth unemployment has been cut by 32 per cent. since 1997 and long-term youth unemployment by 75 per cent.
Our New Deal for Young People programme continues to contribute to this success, having already helped more than 666,000 young people into work, including 2,320 in Hartlepool, 84 per cent. of whom have gained sustained employment.