(2) what action has been taken against providers of ineffective training on the New Deal programmes.
New contracts for the delivery of New Deal programmes commenced in May 2006 in Scotland, and in July 2006 in England and Wales. None of those contracts has to date been terminated. Information on whether any New Deal training providers had their contracts terminated between January 1998, when New Deal started, and April 2006, could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
One New Deal prime contract in Jobcentre Plus's South Tyne and Wear Valley District will end by mutual agreement in October 2007. This is because Jobcentre Plus has concluded that the arrangements in place do not deliver the outcomes and quality service expected for customers. Alternative arrangements are being established.
Ineffective providers are dealt with through Department for Work and Pensions contract management processes. In the first instance, a performance improvement plan is agreed with the contractor. If performance fails to improve within a reasonable timescale, a formal breach notice is issued to the contractor. If contract delivery continues to fall below the required standard, the contract is terminated.