ABSTRACT
The New Deal, like Regional Development Agencies, is a flagship programme for Labour. It also relies on a central framework with deliver' through local partnerships in Employment Service Districts. The planning for New Deal, also like Regional Development Agencies, was chiefly developed whilst Labour was in opposition. The New Deal programme is part of a more general attack by the government on the welfare-to-work transition. It involves not only specific training and job-placement programmes for the unemployed, but also reform of the welfare benefits system, the tax system, and the way in which education and training is financed, accredited and quality assured. The power of the advisor also underlines the strong integration that New Deal is seeking to achieve between the training and placements aspects of helping the unemployed and the benefits systems, This integration is an important innovation sought through New Deal.
