"New Deal breaks 30,000 barrier for New Year"

28 Dec 2000

The success of the Government’s New Deal is confounding its critics by helping thousands of young people, Scottish Secretary John Reid said today.

Commenting on the latest figures showing that 30,100 young Scots have found work through the initiative, Mr Reid said:

"I am delighted that the New Deal has reached another important milestone so soon after we marked the meeting of our promise to help 25,000 young people in Scotland into work.

"Critics said it could not be done. Today’s figures are conclusive proof that the New Deal continues to deliver jobs, hope and dignity for Scotland’s young people in unprecedented numbers."

The latest New Deal figures for Scotland show that:

  • 30,100 young people have found work since the programme started in 1998
  • 1,300 young people found work in October (the latest month for which figures are available)
  • 26,220 young people improved their skills and experience through full-time education, training or work experience placements with the voluntary sector or the environment taskforce.

Mr Reid said:

"New Deal is not just another scheme to get people off the unemployment register. Its value in providing good quality sustainable jobs for young people was highlighted earlier this month by the National Institute for Social and Economic Research which showed that without the New Deal, unemployment among young people would be almost twice as high as it is today.

"The impact of this success is not in the statistics but in the lives of young people who have been spared the misery and injustice of unemployment.

"These figures show that young people in Scotland can celebrate New Year in style knowing that 2001 can be faced with confidence for a better future. We will not let up in our efforts to ensure that, for the first time in a generation, our young people need not fear a future without work."

NOTES FOR NEWS EDITORS

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 enter the programme early if they wish.

2. The New Deal for the Long-term unemployed (25+) continues to perform well. Figures to end September show that 5,200 had found work through the programme. The New Deal 25+ programme helps those aged 25 and over who have been claiming JSA for two years or more.