This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/6652745.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| New Deal job scheme 'a failure' | New Deal job scheme 'a failure' |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| A former government minister has made a stinging attack on the New Deal scheme to help young unemployed people - one of Gordon Brown's flagship policies. | A former government minister has made a stinging attack on the New Deal scheme to help young unemployed people - one of Gordon Brown's flagship policies. |
| In a report for think tank Reform, former Labour welfare reform minister Frank Field says the scheme is "woeful" and a failure. | |
| He says there are more young people out of work now than when the scheme began in 1998, despite £3.5bn in funding. | He says there are more young people out of work now than when the scheme began in 1998, despite £3.5bn in funding. |
| His comments come as Mr Brown continues his campaign for the Labour leadership. | His comments come as Mr Brown continues his campaign for the Labour leadership. |
| Mr Field's report for Reform rebuts government claims that youth unemployment has been "virtually abolished". | Mr Field's report for Reform rebuts government claims that youth unemployment has been "virtually abolished". |
| He suggests limits should be set for receiving benefits and that control of the New Deal should be devolved to local benefit offices. | He suggests limits should be set for receiving benefits and that control of the New Deal should be devolved to local benefit offices. |
| Figures showed there were more than half a million 18 to 24-year-olds out of work - 70,000 more than in 1998, he said. | Figures showed there were more than half a million 18 to 24-year-olds out of work - 70,000 more than in 1998, he said. |
| "The results show that even if the money was available, which it isn't, more of the same won't work and will be a betrayal of young unemployed people," he said. | "The results show that even if the money was available, which it isn't, more of the same won't work and will be a betrayal of young unemployed people," he said. |
| "As part of the Labour leadership contest, it is important for the chancellor and the candidates for the deputy leadership to tell the electorate how best to move the 505,000 unemployed young people into work, as the New Deal is failing to do so," Mr Field added. | "As part of the Labour leadership contest, it is important for the chancellor and the candidates for the deputy leadership to tell the electorate how best to move the 505,000 unemployed young people into work, as the New Deal is failing to do so," Mr Field added. |