HC Deb 24 March 1981 vol 1 cc790-1
2. Mr. Michael Morris

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the latest figure for the number of people being helped under the youth opportunities programme.

The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. Peter Morrison)

At the end of January 1981, there were about 136,000 young people taking part in the youth opportunities programme. The programme has been expanded to help 440,000 young people in 1981–82.

Mr. Morris

Is my hon. Friend aware how encouraging those figures are? Does he accept that there appears to be a problem of co-ordination in further education between the Department of Education and Science and the Department of Employment? Can he assure me that there is some co-ordination between these two arms of the youth programme?

Mr. Morrison

I am delighted that my hon. Friend thinks that the figures are encouraging. I can assure him that the co-ordination between the Departments of Education and Science and of Employment is as close as it can be. If there is any problem that he would like me to consider, I shall be delighted to do so.

Mr. John Evans

When does the Minister expect to be able to provide real jobs, including skilled apprenticeships, for the many hundreds of thousands of young people who cannot find real jobs?

Mr. Morrison

The hon. Gentleman will be aware that many real jobs are being created thanks to the economic climate of realism that now exists. He will know that the provision of apprenticeships is a matter of great concern both to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State and to the Prime Minister.

Mr. Bulmer

Will my hon. Friend confirm that he expects significant numbers of skill shortages next year? Is he satisfied that everything possible is being done to ensure that training for young people relates as closely as possible to real job opportunities?

Mr. Morrison

I assure my hon. Friend that where skill shortages appear to exist in future the Department and my right hon. Friend will take notice and will do what they can to help.

Mr. John Grant

Does the Minister accept that the youth unemployment problem is crucial, but that the Opposition remain fully committed to the youth opportunities programme? Having said that, however, may I express our deep concern at the increasing strain on the programme as a result of the huge numbers of young people who have to resort to it? In particular, will he comment on the difficulties being experienced in job substitution and the abuse of the scheme by some employers through the Government's failure to raise the allowance to the level that the Manpower Services Commission wanted and the increasing difficulty of maintaining the scheme's credibility when young people passing through it can no longer be placed in employment? Will he further tell the House when the Secretary of State will implement his pledge of vocational training of quality for all young people. If that was only a pious hope, it was a cruel deception at the expense of young people?

Mr. Speaker

Order. The Minister need feel obliged to answer one supplementary question only.

Mr. Morrison

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I shall attempt to answer two. As the hon. Gentleman is aware, there is still a substantial difference between the YOP allowance and what a school leaver would receive if he were unemployed. I assure the hon. Gentleman that, if and when substitution occurs, the Manpower Services Commission immediately withdraws the scheme. Finally, I am delighted that the Opposition support the youth opportunities programme.

Mr. Marlow

Will my hon. Friend consider the differential between the YOP allowance and the amount that young people receive in supplementary benefit? Within the total amount paid, will he investigate the possibility of increasing the allowance, with perhaps a slight reduction in supplementary benefit?

Mr. Morrison

I believe that the difference is about £8.25. This is being looked at. One has to see exactly how the market forces, as it were, work in this context. But I am sure that my hon. Friend will agree that the difference is substantial.