HC Deb 19 October 1982 vol 29 cc214-5
4. Mr. Ray Powell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will now introduce special measures substantially to reduce the level of unemployment.

The Minister of State, Department of Employment (Mr. Michael Alison)

The Government's economic strategy, which is sharply reducing inflation and interest rates, is designed to ensure that productive jobs are created in efficient and competitive firms. As a part of that strategy we are expanding our programme of special employment and training measures which aim to alleviate the worse effects of unemployment and to prepare for the future upturn in the economy.

Mr. Powell

Is the Minister aware that the Government's present measures are creating further unemployment? Will he look closely at the advice on bolder measures to reduce unemployment, even from his friends at the CBI? Is he further aware that in Wales during two months in the Summer Recess 10,319 redundancies were declared? Is it not time that the Government did something to replace such jobs?

Mr. Alison

The assumption is incorrect. The measures are not increasing unemployment. The £1½ billion that we are spending on special unemployment measures directly assists and takes off the unemployment register at least 315,000.

Sir Anthony Meyer

As the Government's economic policies are creating new and real jobs, but only painfully slowly, will they seriously consider the current ideas for increasing work splitting and sharing, earlier retirement and later commencement of working life?

Mr. Alison:

I am glad that my hon. Friend has mentioned some of the schemes that are now in train and in the course of development. We believe that they will do a great deal of good both to those who wish to retire early and to those who wish to get on the register to take their places.

Mr. Ashley

What are the Minister's views on unemployed women? Does he accept the research studies that show that the loss of housewives' earnings is a major cause of poverty? If so, what special measures does he have in mind to help unemployed women?

Mr. Alison

I mentioned the figure of £1½ billion. There are substantial programmes in support of various kinds of replacement opportunities, for training, for youth opportunities and for the disabled which will reduce by over 300,000 the number of those who would otherwise be on the unemployment register.