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Strathclyde Police sign up to "Operation New Deal"
20/08/1998
Strathclyde Police today showed their commitment to the New Deal for young unemployed people by signing up at a ceremony with Mr Gus Macdonald, Minister for Business and Industry at The Scottish Office.
Speaking at Strathclyde Police headquarters in Glasgow, Mr Macdonald said:
" I am delighted that Strathclyde Police Force, one of the largest public sector employers in Scotland, has decided to join the Government's crusade against unemployment.
"By signing up to New Deal, employers help to break the pattern of families with nobody working and to reduce the numbers of young people who have never worked.
"While the Government is looking to the private sector to provide the bulk of the jobs in the employer option of the programme - and their response so far has been terrific - public sector employers also have an important role to play.
"The decision by Strathclyde Police demonstrates their commitment to the community they serve and their willingness to make that extra effort to support a group of people often misrepresented and forgotten."
BACKGROUND
1. Around 18,000 young unemployed people in Strathclyde are expected to enter New Deal in 1998-99. Strathclyde Police will be offering 20 New Deal places in a general clerical and administrative capacity.
2. The New Deal for young unemployed people is the first major element of the Government's Welfare to Work programme. It will be funded from the windfall levy on the profits of the privatised utilities.
3. The New Deal for young people will help all those aged 18-24 who have been claiming Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA) for six months or more, although some priority groups can gain earlier access.
News Release: 1656/98
20 August 1998