26 Oct 2005
Everyone should have the chance to work and be equipped to take opportunities up, Scotland Office Minister David Cairns said today.
With new figures showing more than 152,000 people in Scotland have found work through the New Deal, David Cairns declared the Government was delivering on getting people into jobs.
"The New Deal offers people both the opportunity and the security they need to help them succeed in what can be a challenging and sometimes daunting transition back into work.
"As the official statistics published today show, we have substantially cut long-term unemployment across the generations."
Since the introduction of New Deal in 1998:
? 73,690 young people have found jobs through New Deal for young people;
? 27,380 people aged 25 and over have also found jobs;
? 6,820 people aged 50 and over have re-joined the labour market since April 2003;
? over 44,000 lone parents have found work.
In addition:
? 11,800 jobs have been gained through the New Deal for disabled people; and
? 340 people have gained a job through the New Deal for partners.
"Thousands of Scots young and older are swapping giro cheques for pay slips. The New Deal and other initiatives like Pathways to Work are bringing hope to those blighted by unemployment. We firmly believe that work is the best route out of welfare dependency, and it is because of this we are reforming the welfare state. We want to empower unemployed people in every part of Scotland to break the cycle of benefit dependency and to face their future with confidence."
NOTES FOR EDITORS
1. The New Deal for Young People helps those aged 18-24 who have been claiming Jobseekers Allowance for 6 months or more. Special needs groups can enter New Deal earlier if they wish.
2. New Deal 25+ helps those over 25 who have been claiming JSA for 18 months or more.
3. New Deal for Lone Parents (NDLP) is open to lone parents in receipt of Income Support. Participation in the programme is voluntary.
4. New Deal 50plus is designed to help older people who are looking for practical help and support to move from benefit dependency into employment. It is a voluntary programme.
5. New Deal for Partners is a voluntary programme offering the partners of people claiming benefits support in tackling barriers to work. 340 people have found a job through the programme from April 2004 to August 2005.