From a Dfee Press Release, 30 September 99:

New Deal jobs for young people have rocketed to over 135,000, with a record monthly figure showing over 14,000 young people finding work in July.

Education and Employment Secretary David Blunkett said today: "When the New Deal was launched we said that it would bring new hope to tens of thousands of young unemployed people.

"We are delivering on that promise. Over 135,000 young people have embraced the opportunity to show that work and self respect are within their reach.

"New Deal is good news for us all; New Deal is helping to utilise and develop the skills of those young people that were being lost to business and the economy. Employers recognise that, which is why more are signing up - over 58,000 by the end of last month."

Government Statistical Service figures up to the end of July also showed that other New Deal options have helped 87,340 young people receive training or work experience to improve their employability:

18,790 on the Environment Task Force;
19,740 on the Voluntary Sector Option; and
48,810 in Full Time Education and Training.

Employment Minister Andrew Smith welcomed the continuing progress of the New Deal for People aged 25 plus thorough which over 21,500 people have now found a job.

"We are building on the success of the New Deal for young People by extending New Deal opportunity to other key groups in society who can most benefit from the help on offer."