[holding answer 25 June 2008]: Since its launch in 1998 the New Deal has led a major transformation in employment support for people in Britain. Since its introduction New Deal has helped 1.97 million people into work. Benefit recipients participating in New Deal more than once are more likely to enter employment from their second spell on the programme than their first, and from their third spell than their second. Each period on New Deal moves participants closer to the labour market.
Information on the number of current participants on New Deal 50 plus and New Deal for Disabled People is not currently available. These statistics have been suspended while a review of the method for compiling current participant figures is carried out.
Current participant figures for New Deal for Lone Parents are available to March 2007. Figures for the period from April 2007 are not currently available as a result of the identification of a problem with the data which are used to compile the statistics. Figures for the period after April 2007 will be released as soon as possible.
The available information is in the following tables.
Month New Deal for Young People New Deal 25 Plus New Deal for Lone Parents2 New Deal for Partners 2006 August 98,940 51,630 54,800 3,130 September 94,350 52,090 54,910 3,180 October 91,410 53,370 54,450 3,240 November 89,410 54,780 53,970 3,290 December 90,240 57,170 51,450 3,360 2007 January 93,070 58,340 54,360 3,430 February 92,670 59,390 59,160 3,540 March 93,580 59,860 61,960 3,670 April 91,870 60,120 n/a 3,710 May 90,500 60,520 n/a 3,740 June 86,330 61,260 n/a 3,780 July 87,100 61,880 n/a 3,850 August 84,010 62,960 n/a 3,860 September 77,650 63,250 n/a 3,910 October 73,040 63,930 n/a 3,930 November 69,290 64,810 n/a 3,990 n/a = Not available. 1 Latest data are to November 2007. 2 Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Information Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions.
Number of participants who have participated more than once Number of participants who have gained a job1 New Deal For Young people 369,990 806,490 New Deal 25 Plus 224,610 323,330 New Deal For Lone Parents 236,1802 554,300 New Deal For Disabled People3 33,780 172,460 New Deal 50 Plus4 2,860 83,100 New Deal For Partners5 170 5,070 1 Latest information on number of individuals who have gained a job is up to November 2007. 2 Latest data are to February 2008, except for New Deal for Lone Parents number of participants to participate more than once where information is as of March 2007. 3 Information for New Deal for Disabled People on number of times a person participates and number of individuals who have gained a job is available from July 2001. 4 Information for New Deal 50 Plus on number of times a person participates is available from January 2004; number of individuals who have gained a job is available from April 2003. 5 Information for New Deal for Partners on number of times a person participates and number of individuals who have gained a job is available from April 2004. Note: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10. Source: Information Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions.
[holding answer 25 June 2008]: People entering new deal for young people receive intensive help to support them into work. The new deal has been successful in placing jobseekers into sustainable work, with around 80 per cent. of employment outcomes being into jobs lasting 13 weeks or more. The flexible new deal will build on this success.
The Department will be basing its payment strategy increasingly on sustainable job outcomes; six months in the first instance, but as the Government move towards an integrated employment and skills progression model, it will look to build longer-term incentives into the welfare and skills systems.
Information on the number of people who move into sustained employment is only collected for new deal for young people, new deal 25-plus and new deal for lone parents. The available information has been placed in the Library.