To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what training for employment officers his Department plans to provide to external providers of the Flexible New Deal; and what budget has been allocated for this training. (262846)

[holding answer 11 March 2009]: The successful flexible new deal providers will be contracted to deliver their own service delivery model, involving support tailored to the needs of each individual.

As such employment officer status will be an integral part of contractors’ job roles and it will be the employer’s responsibility to provide and fund any necessary training. The same situation applies in current new deal contracts and employment zones.

Responsibility for the customer’s continuing entitlement to jobseeker’s allowance will remain the responsibility of Jobcentre Plus.