Welfare Reform on the Web (December 2002): Social Security - UK - New Deal

GLASGOW: A FULL EMPLOYMENT CITY?

B. Marshall

Working Brief, Issue 138, Oct. 2002, p. 10-14

Achieving 'full employment' in some parts of the country will demand more radical employment initiatives than are currently on offer. In this article the author examines the measures Glasgow needs just to raise it employment levels to that of the West of Scotland.

THE NEW DEAL FOR YOUNG PEOPLE

Committee of Public Accounts

London: TSO, 2002 (House of Commons Papers, Session 2001/02; HC 700)

The New Deal for Young People met its target of getting 250,000 under 25-years-olds off benefit and into work by the end of 2001/02. However the cost per participant could be high (up to ca £6000) and many would have found jobs anyway in a growing economy. The programme has been effective in reducing long-term youth unemployment, and most participants have benefited from it. An increasing number of participants face multiple barriers to employment and require individually tailored packages of help, and outcomes have been poorer for certain minority ethnic groups. Emphasises the importance of tracking the destinations of those leaving the programme, in the light of the fact that outcomes are unknown for 30% of leavers.

REPORT WANTS RE-DESIGNED NEW DEALS

T. Saunders

Working Brief, issue 138, Oct. 2002, p. 15-19

The Work and Pensions Select Committee's most recent report focuses on the Government's employment strategy. Author looks at the report's main recommendation on the New Deal and the Committee's belief that the New Deals need to be re-targeted and re-designed.