In brief...: Jobs plan wins PM's backing

Jan 11 2008

The New Deal jobs programme has helped a job seeker move off benefit into work every three minutes of the day since the scheme was launched a decade ago, according to new figures.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown praised the scheme as he met people who had found a job thanks to the programme.

More than 1.8 million people have found a job through the new deal since it was launched 1998.

Mr Brown said in past years the problem had been one of unemployment but he predicted that in the next decades the issue to be tackled was one of employability.

"If in the old days lack of jobs demanded priority action, in the new world it is lack of skills, and that means our whole approach to welfare must move on."

Work and Pensions Secretary Peter Hain said reforms planned by the Government would see hundreds of thousands more benefit claimants becoming active job seekers rather than passive recipients.