The Scottish Government

This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007

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New Deal clocks up another 1,000 job successes

29/07/1999

With the help of New Deal, a further 1,000 young people moved into jobs during May.

by the Scottish Executive show that by the end of May, 32,000 young people had been helped by the New Deal for 18-24 year olds, 9,300 of whom had moved into sustained jobs.

Welcoming the latest figures, The Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning, Henry McLeish said:

"During May, 1,000 young people succeeded in convincing employers that they deserved a chance and could make a useful contribution to the businesses involved. When you consider that before their involvement in New Deal with the support advice and training that it gives, the bulk of these young people had been trying unsuccessfully to secure employment for at least six months, these statistics are a laudable achievement in anyone's language. As well as being good news for the economy and the communities in which these young people live, these results are a major cause for celebration for the individuals and their families.

"The programme also has a very important role in improving employability which it does through the quality options it provides. By the end of May a further 4,400 had taken up full-time education or training opportunities and 4,200 started work experience placements with either the Voluntary Sector or the Environment Task Force.

"Today's figures are further evidence that the New Deal continues to deliver jobs and training for Scotland's young people."

BACKGROUND

1. The New Deal for young people helps those aged 18-24 who have been claiming Jobseekers Allowance (JSA) for six months or more. (Special needs groups can, however, enter the programme early if they wish.) New Deal for 25+ helps those aged 25 and over who have been claiming JSA for two years or more.

2. The New Deal 25+ programme is continuing to progress well. During May, a further 144 of those aged 25 and over who had been unemployed for two years or more took up jobs. The May figure takes the cumulative total finding work under the programme to 1,200."

3. A detailed breakdown of the New Deal statistics, updated as of May 1999, can be obtained from the Scottish Executive website or by telephoning the number given below.

4. Employment policy is reserved to the UK Government which therefore takes the lead on the funding and delivery of the New Deal throughout Great Britain, although in close consultation with its partners, including the Scottish Executive.

News Release: SE0181/99
29 July 1999