How the young get a raw deal with jobs

Back to the start: few people end up with a permanent job though the New Deal

12 April 2012

Fewer than three in ten young people leaving Labour's welfare-to-work programme have ended up with a job lasting more than a few weeks.

Latest figures show that 28,780 people aged 18 to 24 went through the flagship New Deal in the first two months of this year.

But only 8,180 ended up in "sustained" work lasting more than 13 weeks - equivalent to 28.4 per cent.

Last year, 169,750 young people went through the scheme, but only 34.2 per cent gained sustained employment.

The figures show a marked decline compared to 1998.

Then, 54 per cent of young people leaving the New Deal found long-term jobs.

Philip Hammond, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, said: "The New Deal is a bad deal for Britain's young people and for the taxpayer.

"It's letting down thousands of vulnerable young people who are desperate to get proper jobs."

The figures will fuel questions about the value for money of the £3.4 billion programme with fears it has become a costly revolving door, with thousands going through it several times.