From a DfEE press release
Employment Minister Andrew Smith today confirmed that more than 7,800 young unemployed people moved into jobs from the New Deal in February.
Mr Smith said: "Provisional management information last month indicated that it was a good month for young people but we now know it was even better than we thought. This is on top of previous employment success in the New Deal with the trend looking set to continue".
The latest Government Statistical Service figures show that the total number of sustained jobs secured through New Deal reached 61,380 by the end of February, with a further 58,000 gaining work experience and training through the other New Deal options.
Nearly a quarter of a million young people have now entered the New Deal and 47,000 employers have signed up to the New Deal.
The Government Statistical Service figures confirm that to the end of February:
* 48,870 young people had entered sustained unsubsidised jobs;
* 12,510 young people had started sustained subsidised jobs;
* 58,100 young people had started work experience and training through the New Deal options; 10,700 people on the Environment Task Force, 11,400 on the Voluntary Sector Option and 36,000 on the Full Time Education and Training Option;
* in total 249,200 young people had started on the New Deal for young people;
* 104,800 people had started on the national New Deal for the long term unemployed aged over 25.
In addition, over 8,700 long term unemployed people have now started sustained jobs through the national New Deal for people over 25. This news was also welcomed by Andrew Smith who said: "I am delighted for these people whose persistence in looking for work has finally paid off thanks to the help and support from the New Deal"
