Oral Answers to Questions

Karl McCartney Excerpts

Monday 23rd April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Maria Miller]

I am sure the right hon. Lady is aware of the fact that when this Government took office we inherited an enormous deficit in the Remploy pension fund. We are trying to sort that out. I can absolutely give her the undertaking that pensions that are in place will be fully protected, as she would expect.

[Karl MᶜCartney (Lincoln) (Con)]

4. What progress he has made on the youth contract; and if he will make a statement.

[Stephen Metcalfe (South Basildon and East Thurrock) (Con)]

18. What progress he has made on the youth contract; and if he will make a statement.

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Chris Grayling)]

The youth contract was successfully launched on 2 April 2012. It builds on existing support available through Jobcentre Plus and the Work programme, enabling young people who are unemployed to look for work, gain work experience and skills, and find real, lasting jobs.

[Karl MᶜCartney]

I thank the Minister for that illuminating answer. What assessment has been made of the impact of the work experience programme, which is being expanded under the youth contract?

[Chris Grayling]

We published the latest assessment of the effectiveness of the work experience scheme last week. It showed that the people who participated were 16% more likely to be off benefits 21 weeks after starting than a similar group who did not. It is worth stating that that is similar to the success rate of the future jobs fund, at a 20th of the cost.