Oral Answers to Questions

Baroness Keeley Excerpts

Monday 18th July 2011 Commons Chamber

[Chris Grayling]

I absolutely agree. One of the most important steps the Government have taken has been significantly to increase the number of apprenticeships available, particularly for young people. It is absolutely clear under the Work programme agreement that a successful placement in an apprenticeship counts as a job outcome under the Work programme. I hope that will mean there is a clear link between the two.

[Barbara Keeley (Worsley and Eccles South) (Lab)]

Steve Kerr of the London Voluntary Service Council has questioned whether the Work programme

“will succeed…or simply make matters worse through sidelining the voluntary sector.”

What action is the Minister taking so that the voluntary sector does not continue to feel sidelined through the Work programme?

[Chris Grayling]

The hon. Lady is absolutely wrong. The voluntary sector is not being sidelined. On Friday in Stafford I visited the Shaw Trust—a major voluntary sector organisation that is already delivering support to people under the Work programme. There are many other organisations such as Groundwork delivering support right across the spectrum and there is specialist help available from some of the specialist groups. The Work programme has been designed to attract best practice, of which there is much in the voluntary sector. That is why it is such an important part of the Work programme.