Jobcentre Plus blamed for failure of New Deal

In 2007, the government promised to fast-track young people onto the Jobcentre Plus New Deal scheme, to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training (Neet).

Fast-tracking was supposed to happen on a voluntary basis from April 2008. It became mandatory for any young person who has been Neet for more than six months before turning 18 from 1 April this year.

In the past, young people had to be unemployed for six months after turning 18 before qualifying for the programme, which offers careers advice and support to find a job.

But Steve Stewart, chief executive of Connexions Coventry and Warwickshire, said the scheme is yet to get off the ground because Jobcentre Plus fails to engage with other services.

He said: "They don't work in partnership with anybody. Trying to get them to share information around young people is impossible. So far I haven't seen any young person fast-tracked onto New Deal. The rhetoric and the reality are far apart."

Andrew Simmons, chief executive of Connexions Hertfordshire, and joint chair of the National Connexions Network, said: "It's not happening in my area. I'd be interested if you found somewhere where it was."

A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said the government is yet to collect figures on the number of young people who have been fast-tracked since April.