§ 12. Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many previously unemployed people have been employed in the employment action programme in 1991–92.
§ Mr. McLoughlinEmployment action ran for only six months in 1991–92. By March 1992, 19,300 people had started on the programme in England and Wales.
§ Mr. FlynnDoes the Minister appreciate that the scheme has been a failure and that many people who have taken part in it feel cheated and demeaned by the experience? Only one third of places were taken up in the first year and there was a 15 per cent. shortfall in the second year. Is the Minister aware that in my constituency last year there was a 16 per cent. increase in unemployment and there have been a further 200 jobs losses this month? Why do not the Government stop trying to stir up manic optimism and realise that in my constituency and many others all that has taken place is a phantom recovery?
§ Mr. McLoughlinWhat has happened in the hon. Gentleman's constituency is that in July 1986 unemployment was 5,986 and in March 1993 unemployment was 4,530. For the sake of the Opposition, that is 24 per cent. lower than it was in 1986. Yet again, the Opposition condemn any kind of moves that we make to attempt to help those people who are unemployed. It is not surprising that no one believes what the Opposition say these days.