I am writing in response to your article: Small Firms 'confused' by New Deal (Ben, January 5).

The purpose of New Deal is to enable young people to move from welfare into work and to stay in work by helping them find jobs which suit them and for which they are suited. Where necessary, we are enhancing their employability through high quality opportunities for work, education and training.

The Federation of Small Businesses' (FSB) remark that take-up from small firms under Now Deal was ''disappointing", is at odds with the response we have had from local firms in Bolton. In this area, 144 businesses, including Gordons (Bolton) Ltd, BIFFA and Porter Lancastrian, have signed up to New Deal, employing 135 people.

Nationally, more than 35,000 employers have now signed to New Deal, and the overwhelming majority of those are small and medium-sized enterprises. Since New Deal was launched seven months ago, 50,000 18 to 24-year-olds have moved into jobs.

We attach great importance to local business involvement In New Deal in Bolton and we aim to ensure the programme meets the needs of both businesses and job seekers.

Steve Johnson

District Manager

Employment Service

Bolton 1

52 Blackhorse Street, Bolton

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