HC Deb 31 July 1984 vol 65 cc211-3
9. Mr. Flannery

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people who left school in summer 1983 are still unemployed.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The total number of school leavers unemployed in June was 12 per cent. lower than in June last year, but I have no separate figures for 1983 school leavers.

Mr. Flannery

Is it not a fact, despite every possible device to try to prove that unemployment is a million lower than it actually is, that the Government's economic policy is now in complete ruin and that these young people have no hope whatsover of getting a job? When will the Government realise that it is time to begin at least a partial reflation of the economy, to throw overboard their doctrinaire monetarist policy and to grapple with the real problems facing the country?

Mr. Morrison

I think the hon. Gentleman would agree, if the went round some of the youth training schemes, that many enthusiastic 16 and 17-year-olds are benefiting enourmously from them. That is borne out by the take-up figures for April and May this year and the potential placing figures for those coming off schemes which started in April, May and September of last year.

Mr. Pawsey

Does my hon. Friend agree that if school leavers were paid a wage that better reflected their ability, knowledge and experience, more of them would be in employment?

Mr. Morrison

I agree with my hon. Friend. I have always maintained that wages of school leavers have a direct effect on their employment prospects.

Mr. Dormand

Is the Minister aware that the highest percentage of unemployed school leavers is in the northern region and that it has increased continuously since this Government came to office? Is there anything more tragic than a young person leaving school with no prospect of a job? What proposals do the Government have to increase employment opportunities, specifically for northern youngsters?

Mr. Morrison

I know from the hon. Gentleman that the position in the north-east is extremely difficult, because the transition from the traditional industries to the industries of the future is more painful there. He will be aware that all this year's school leavers, 16 and 17-yearolds, will have the opportunity of a place on a youth training scheme. He will also be aware that the incidence of the community programme in his area will be larger because it will be a reflection of the number of long-term unemployed.

Mr. Tim Smith

Will my hon. Friend say what steps his Department and the Department of Education and Science are taking to explain the merits of self-employment to school leavers and other young people?

Mr. Morrison

I assure my hon. Friend that much work is done in that area. Through the Manpower Services Commission we run enterprise schemes to set up new business. Since 1977, 2,000 have been set up, employing approximately 7,000 people.

Mr. Sheerman

Is the Minister aware that if only young people were encouraged to stay on in further education, at least some youngsters would have an opportunity to get an education that fits them for a job at a later stage, perhaps when there is a Labour Government? Is he further aware of the present crisis in the MSC after last Thursday's meeting over "Training for Jobs," which could lead to total chaos in further education this autumn? Does the Minister realise that the MSC will not accept the document "Training for Jobs," which he is pushing down its throat, and that he cannot deliver further education without its and the LEA's co-operation?

Mr. Morrison

I agree with the hon. Gentleman that there should be an option for school leavers to go into further education or on to a youth training scheme. As to the crisis in the Manpower Services Commission to which he refers, that is not at all in accordance with the reports that I had of last Thursday's meeting.