11^th October 2006

Dear Nick,

Something that concerns me about the New Deal programme is that it is run on the basis of age discrimination. People aged 24 and under do not get access to the same programme as myself, and they are forced to participate in an even more limited programme based purely on their youth. Why? At the beginning of my IAP in July there was no law against this, but this changed as of 1^st October 2006. As far as I am aware the law covers

• People taking part in or applying for employment related vocational training

Vocational training includes

• All forms of training and retraining courses, practical work experience and guidance that contributes to employability, training provided by employers or private and voluntary sector providers, vocational training provided by further and higher education institutions and adult education programmes.

I would like you to obtain legal advice and let me know whether the current practice on New Deal is within the law. If it is, please explain how. If it isn’t, are you going to change it with immediate effect?

Besides the law, there are the following relevant contractual requirements.

The contract between Jobcentreplus and Pertemps People Development Group says:

Part 3 Provider Obligations

3.3.3 The provider shall not discriminate directly or indirectly on grounds of age

28 Changes in Law

The Provider shall throughout the term of the contract make all necessary changes to the Programmes to take account of and remain compliant with all applicable changes in the law

Can you confirm that current practice by Pertemps is within the bounds of the contract terms?

Yours sincerely,