HC Deb 16 February 1993 vol 219 cc115-6
1. Mr. Sumberg

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations she has received in connection with the function of job clubs; and if she will make a statement.

The Secretary of State for Employment (Mrs. Gillian Shephard)

Job clubs have been a great success. I have received many representations asking that we provide more places and we shall.

Mr. Sumberg

I warmly welcome my right hon. Friend's answer, but does not it sit uneasily with the fact the professional and executive job club in my constituency has recently closed? Is she aware that the alternatives provided are very unsatisfactory? Could she examine the situation and find out whether we can make some improvement?

Mrs. Shephard

I am aware of my hon. Friend's concern about our new arrangements to replace the Prestwich executive job club. I was glad that he and his constituents found it so helpful and I am sure that he will welcome the fact that, in view of our plan to provide an extra 75,000 places from April, we shall certainly take the opportunity to review arrangements in Prestwich.

Ms. Eagle

How useful can job clubs be, when unemployment in Wallasey is now 5,964 and at the last count there were only 75 vacancies?

Mrs. Shephard

Perhaps I could explain to the hon. Lady that the job clubs' record is first class. Nearly 50 per cent. of people who leave them go into work and a further 15 per cent. go into training, self-employment or full-time further education. Two thirds of unemployed people leave the register within six months. The 1.5 million opportunities that we have made available help all unemployed people to improve their prospects of finding work at what is undoubtedly a difficult time.

Mr. Evennett

Is my right hon. Friend aware that our job club at the college of technology in Erith is very popular and is widely used by the local community? Does she agree that we should encourage more such clubs, because they give unemployed people tremendous opportunities for companionship and advice and to get into real employment in the near future?

Mrs. Shephard

As I said, job clubs are effective in helping unemployed people to find work. I am glad to say that, from April, very nearly 300,000 places will be provided.