Warwick & Leamington MP James Plaskitt meets New Deal participant, Steven Painter at Sainsbury’s Leamington store on Monday morning.

Steven was unemployed for two years before being taken on as a New Deal trainee at Sainsbury’s two months ago. Sainsbury’s hope to be able to offer Steven a full-time post when his six months on the scheme comes to an end.

Mr Plaskitt said,

"Locally and nationally, the New Deal is helping to get people off benefit and into work. Over 20,000 young people now have jobs thanks to the New Deal. An additional 60,000 are currently going through the gateway and securing a place in the next stages of the scheme."

Mr Plaskitt said, "I am delighted that Sainsbury’s are giving such strong support to the scheme. The New Deal is working, and so is Steven."