Jobseeker’s Allowance: Greater London

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people had received job seeker's allowance for two years or more in each London borough at the most recent date for which figures are available; and what steps the Government plan to take to reduce the numbers. (181691)

The latest available information is in the following table.

We announced plans for significant changes to the way we help and support jobseeker's allowance customers back into work in our Green Paper Response Paper 'Ready for Work' in December 2007.

From April 2009, a stepped programme of support will be available for all customers from day one. The successful New Deal Gateway will be refreshed and introduced for all customers from six months of a claim. From October 2009, all those unemployed for 12 months will enter a new flexible New Deal, receiving intensive support from a specialist provider. During their time with a provider we expect all customers will enter work or participate in some form of full time activity increasing the chances of work.

*Jobseeker's allowance claimants with a duration of 2 years and over by London borough as at December 2007*
	Number
Barking and Dagenham	95
Barnet	170
Bexley	45
Brent	605
Bromley	115
Camden	220
City of London	0
Croydon	145
Ealing	155
Enfield	190
Greenwich	130
Hackney	280
Hammersmith and Fulham	100
Haringey	695
Harrow	40
Havering	60
Hillingdon	70
Hounslow	45
Islington	165
Kensington and Chelsea	100
Kingston-upon-Thames	15
Lambeth	305
Lewisham	220
Merton	75
Newham	460
Red bridge	100
Richmond-upon-Thames	30
Southwark	775
Sutton	50
Tower Hamlets	910
Waltham Forest	235
Wandsworth	200
Westminster, City of	170
Notes: 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest five. 2. Figures are based on computer held cases only. Source: NOMIS 100 per cent count of claimants of unemployment-related benefits, Jobcentre Plus Computer Systems

Volume 471: debated on Monday 4 February 2008