HC Deb 06 July 1982 vol 27 c134
3. Mr. Trippier

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people entered the youth opportunities programme in 1981–82.

The Under-Secretary of State for Employment (Mr. David Waddington)

The number is 553,000.

Mr. Trippier

I thank my hon. and learned Friend for that reply. How successful is YOP in getting young people into employment?

Mr. Waddington

A survey carried out last autumn showed that about 60 per cent. of trainees went either into jobs or further training at the end of their period on YOP. Further improvements seem to be indicated by another survey, which is now being analysed.

Mr. Tilley

Is the Minister aware that recently in a written answer I was supplied with details of the number of injuries sustained by young people on YOP in the last year? What assurance can he give that the health and safety aspects both of YOP, if it continues, and the new training initiative, when it begins, will be improved so that we do not have a doubling of the length of the programme leading to a doubling of the number of injuries?

Mr. Waddington

We are determined to ensure that safety standards are as high for trainees as they are for ordinary employees. There is no reason why they should not be.

Mr. Haselhurst

Was there any evidence of many young people wilfully choosing not to go on to the YOP if an offer was made to them?

Mr. Waddington

I know of virtually no evidence of that happening.

Mr. Newens

Does the hon. and learned Gentleman recognise that at the end of these schemes many young people find that there are no opportunities for them to take up, as a result of which they merely become unemployed and completely disillusioned? Does he appreciate that until the Government change their attitude to the economy and embark on a policy of reflation to give more jobs for all, this process will be only a palliative and will not succeed?

Mr. Waddington

I remind the hon. Gentleman of what I have already said. We should like to see every young person go into a permanent job at the end of his training. It seems that the number going into permanent jobs is increasing, and that is a good sign. I disagree entirely with the hon. Gentleman's suggestion about how we might increase employment opportunities. His method would have precisely the reverse effect.