§ Mr. Watkinsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) which areas by region have benefited from the temporary employment subsidy;
(2) how many companies or firms have applied for assistance under the temporary employment subsidy;
(3) how many persons have now had their jobs protected through the operation of the temporary employment subsidy scheme;
(4) what steps he is taking to ensure that all companies and firms are informed about the existence of the temporary employment subsidy scheme.
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§ Mr. John FraserThe temporary employment subsidy scheme has been used by employers in all parts of Great Britain. As at 27th February 214 applications had been approved covering 21,945 workers. The regional disposition is as follows:
English Regions Applications approved Workers involved Northern 5 656 Yorkshire and Humberside 15 1,901 South East 18 2,130 South West 13 1,424 Midlands 38 4,065 North West 71 7,051 Scotland 34 3,000 Wales 20 1,718 TOTAL 214 21,945 As at 27th February, 316 applications had been received from firms or companies, covering 33,459 workers.
As at 27th February, about 21,500 workers had had their jobs protected through the operation of the scheme. This figure takes account of some premature withdrawals.
Among the methods used to publicise the temporary employment subsidy scheme have been Press notices at national level, local Press coverage, circulation of information to the CBI and TUC both at national and local levels. Broadcasts have been made on local radio stations and talks have been given to local committees, employers' associations, and other bodies, for example, chambers of commerce.
In addition to this, managers of the Employment Service Agency local offices remind employers about the scheme when impending redundancies come to notice. A publicity leaflet, PL574, has been widely distributed and is available, together with an application form, from Department of Employment regional offices and unemployment benefit offices in addition to the Employment Service Agency employment offices.