The only other employment Alan has ever has is as a part-time bar person. There are real social and personal benefits in getting people off welfare and into work. Giving people a sense of worth, and helping unemployed people acquire the skills they need to find employment is a moral responsibility. But this is not just a philanthropic crusade. By investing in skills, and by helping more people get into productive work, the New Deal will have a significant impact on the UK economy, on the Scottish economy and on the prosperity of Dundee.
Skilled people are a precious resource in short supply.
Those shortages limit the capacity of the economy to grow without inflation. By equipping unemployed people with the skills they need, we enable the economy to grow faster and for longer. There are also clear benefits for individual businesses. The New Deal reduces the risks and costs associated with recruitment. All young people will go through a Gateway period of up to four months of advice and help, which means that they will be ready for work when referred to an employer.