yeah, can't remember the exact rule but if the unemployment figures are released every two months, you are on dole for 7 weeks, week 8 you go onto new deal and as if by magic you don't count on the figures. a week later the new deal placement goes and it's back to the dole for 7 weeks.
Or whatever the equivalent figure is.
But woohoo targets were met and boxes were ticked.
See
New Deal (United Kingdom) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia for further criticisms