HC Deb 22 April 1986 vol 96 cc156-7
4. Mr. Madden

asked the Paymaster General what provision he will make for young people leaving YTS between April and September in the current year to help them into employment.

Mr. Trippier

Many young people completing one-year YTS this year will be offered a second year of training. Those who leave will have access to help from the careers service and jobcentres, and we aim to improve further the employment prospects of ex-YTS youngsters through the recently announced new workers scheme.

Mr. Madden

How many young people will leave YTS during the period from the end of this month to September? Is not the reality that if they do not have a job there is no alternative scheme? The Government are dumping these young people on the dole queues, deserting them and forsaking them.

Mr. Trippier

There might be an element of truth in the hon. Gentleman's claim were it not for the fact that in the recent Budget a new scheme was introduced called the new workers scheme. Approximately 170,000 people will complete their one-year YTS in the period to which the hon. Gentleman referred. Obviously the new workers scheme is complementary to YTS. If continuation places are not sufficient in an area the new scheme will apply. I understand that there are some 600 YTS continuation places available in the hon. Gentleman's constituency in Bradford. I hope that those places will suffice to meet the need. If not, the new workerss scheme will complement what is available, and YTS leavers will be eligible for those places.