30 Dec 1999
Scotland Office Minister Brian Wilson today said that the New Deal had helped reduce youth unemployment by more than half and that 14,200 young Scots aged 18-24 have found sustained employment through it.
Brian Wilson said:
"As we enter the new Millennium it is heartening to see that the UK Government’s New Deal is helping to make the scourge of long-term youth unemployment a thing of the past.
"Indeed, looking back over the last 12 months, the number of 18-24 year olds unemployed for six months or more almost halved to 4,307 last month. This compares very favourably with November 1997 - just before the New Deal was introduced in Tayside - when there were almost 10,400 young people out of work for six months or more.
"New Deal gives thousands of young people a fresh start at a better working life. Up to the end of October 14,200 18-24 year olds had gained real, sustained employment, lasting at least three months after receiving the personal career advice and help that New Deal offers.
"These results are encouraging, but we must not be complacent. Unemployment blights the lives of individuals, families and communities across Scotland. That is why, even with historically low levels of claimant count unemployment, the Chancellor recently announced additional funding for the New Deal 25+ initiative to improve the help available older workers."
NOTE FOR NEWS EDITORS
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.