How new is the New Deal? A qualitative study of the New Deal for Young People on minority ethnic groups in Oldham

Abstract

Despite a clear commitment to equality of opportunity under the New Deal, some have questioned whether the New Deal for Young People has served ethnic minority communities as well as the white population. This research is based primarily on a qualitative longitudinal study of ethnic minority New Deal participants (and non-participants) in Oldham in Greater Manchester, and also on analysis of the New Deal Evaluation Database. We fin d that objective outcomes, particularly employment, can be problematic, but that there is strong evidence of positive impacts on employability, especially through work experience. In these terms the NDYP clearly represents a departure from the YTS and has had a generally positive reception from participants. However, our research emphasizes the fact that participants are a self-selected section of young unemployed people, and that there are major differences between participants and ‘avoiders’. Most notably, non-participants were much more disaffected with the labour market and more negative about the New Deal.