HC Deb 08 June 1982 vol 25 c4
3. Mr. Roy Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people who left school at Easter have found employment; how many are still out of work; and how many are engaged on Government-sponsored youth opportunity programmes.

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

The information requested is not available. However, it is estimated that of those entering the youth opportunities programme in April, up to 13,000 were 1982 school leavers.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Minister appreciate that a further 100,000 school leavers will come on to the unemployment register this month? Is not the trend towards the waste of a whole generation? Does he appreciate, too, that unemployment is becoming little short of a national scandal? When will the Government cease to use unemployment as a means to browbeat working people, bearing in mind the great economic and social damage that is being caused?

Mr. Morrison

I do not find it surprising that the hon. Gentleman uses the political rhetoric of suggesting that the Government are using unemployment to browbeat people. That is untrue, as well he knows. He must be aware that this year we are increasing the number of youth opportunities programme places from 550,000 to 630,000. We believe that that is right in view of the needs of the youngsters concerned.

Mr. Dover

Will the Minister speed up the process by which YOP openings are made available? Is he aware that in the Chorley area it takes up to 10 weeks for an employer to get somebody from the youth unemployment list after registering the vacancy?

Mr. Morrison

I shall certainly ensure that that happens. By and large there has been an improvement in the time within which approval is given. I have made it clear to the careers service that the places are to be filled as quickly as possible.

Mr. Campbell-Savours

Is there any truth in the suggestion that the Government are considering further changing the way in which unemployment statistics are compiled, so as to remove a further 200,000 from the unemployment record at the stroke of a pen?

Mr. Morrison

No, Sir.