Every three minutes someone moves off benefits and into work, according to figures released by the Department for Work and Pensions.

The announcement comes as the governments New Deal, which was launched to help support the jobless back into work, celebrates its tenth anniversary this week. Since 1998, more than 1.8 million people have found work. The scheme offers skills training, work experience and advice to individuals who have been unemployed for six months or more.

This week marks 10 years of the New Deal, a time for celebration of what has been achieved, says Prime Minister Gordon Brown. As we look ahead we need a reformed New Deal. If in the old days lack of jobs demanded priority action, in the new world it is lack of skills. And that means that our whole approach to welfare must move on.

The Government regards the New Deal as critical in helping to reduce youth and adult claimant unemployment levels, which it claims has fallen by nearly 75% since 1997.

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