Real jobs action where it is needed

Figures released as part of the visit revealed that the Action Team for Jobs scheme helped more than 16,400 people nationally to find jobs in the past year.

Mr Brown was in South Shields to see the work of the South Tyneside Action Team for Jobs programme, known locally as the You Team.

South Tyneside is often regarded as an unemployment blackspot, having one of the highest unemployment rates in the UK.

The South Tyneside Scheme helped 333 people into work in the year to October, and Mr Brown said the local results, as well as the national picture, were "excellent".

He added: "The team in South Tyneside is a fitting example of how the Action Teams are making a real difference to real people. In this area they have helped more than 300 people to find work."

Building on the success of the initial schemes, Mr Brown welcomed the start of another 25 Action Teams this month, bringing the total in operation to 63.

He said: "The success of Action Teams lies in their ability to target help to each person as their circumstances demand.

"Action Teams target the barriers to employment which have kept too many people locked into long-term benefit dependency for far too long.

"They take their services to the heart of their local communities, working with local agencies and employers, and they provide essential help and advice to bring people back into the labour market."

He added: "The difference that the Action Teams have made to the lives of more than 16,000 people and their families is immeasurable.

"The first year of success is proof positive that we are right in our commitment to provide people with work and help them to fulfil their potential."

The programme, which has been allocated £122m until March 2004, targets people in areas of high unemployment.

As well as the South Tyneside Action Team, there are also schemes in operation in Chester-le-Street, Easington, Hartlepool, Newcastle and Sunderland.