THE government's "New Deal" will be a big deal when it comes into effect next April.

Up to 800 Bolton and Bury people between the ages of 18 and 24 - all unemployed for more than six months - will be aided and encouraged to become economically self-sufficient, thereby helping to reduce the nation's benefit bills.

It is difficult to disagree with this principle, but there is a mighty task ahead as the local employment Service and its partners get down to the nitty gritty organisation of Welfare to work.

We can presume that some suspicious employers will be reluctant to lumber themselves with the feckless, indolent and unemployable.

Similarly, decent young people who have had bad experiences in the working world will not be easily convinced that things can improve.

The Chief Executive of Bolton Bury Training and Enterprise Council, Mr Richard Bindless, is a thoughtful man who understands clearly that people need to make themselves employable and that companies should see workers as more than a costly burden on the business.

Mr Bindless is to be congratulated for pointing out that local employers, who would get financial incentives, hold the key to success if this brave initiative is "to eradicate the blight of youth unemployment."

Bolton and Bury, two towns which pride themselves on their partnership approach and community spirit, have a real opportunity to achieve something socially worthwhile.

Let the local debate begin.

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