HC Deb 12 July 1977 vol 935 cc82-3W
23. Mr. Willey

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the special steps being taken to alleviate the unemployment of young people in Sunderland; and what further steps are proposed.

Mr. Golding

The special employment and training measures which we have introduced since 1975 have helped young people in all parts of the country. In Sunderland 67 projects are currently operating under the job creation programme, providing jobs for over 600 people; 65 schemes involving 166 young people are being supported under the work experience programme; the Wear-side Community Industry unit is employing about 180 young people; since October 572 young people have been helped into jobs by the youth employment subsidy; and on 31st May within daily travelling distance of Sunderland there were more than 500 places for young people on short courses provided by the Training Service Agency. In addition young people in Sunderland will have been helped by the measures to support apprenticeship and other longterm training in industry.

As my right hon. Friend announced on 29th June, the Manpower Services Commisssion is to introduce a new programme of opportunities for unemployed young people to replace some of those measures. When operating fully in September 1978 the new programme, together with community industry and measures to support training in industry, will provide up to 130,000 places and should benefit over 230,000 young people a year. Resources will be allocated to different areas according to their needs.