To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions she has had with her ministerial colleagues on the prevention of the practices of creaming and parking in relation to work placements arranged by potential providers under contracted out employment services; and if she will make a statement. (275468)

DWP published the Commissioning Strategy in February 2008. This provides a set of principles to incentivise providers to support all customers on contracted employment provision. Longer and larger contracts will make provision attractive to a broader range of providers. This competition for and within contracts will incentivise providers to drive up performance offers, and the number of people they plan to get into work. Competition for flexible new deal contracts has been fierce, and preferred bidders have committed to get more people into work than the best of existing provision, employment zones.

Flexible new deal will replace a diverse patchwork of contracts with just 24. This will enable DWP to strengthen its contract management function. Contract managers will require suppliers to uphold their commitments, including how they provide support for all our customers.

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many businesses have received the recruitment subsidy element of the six-month offer announced on 12 January 2009 via Jobcentre Plus; how many enquiries on the scheme have been received; and if she will make a statement. (276733)

The information requested is not available.