HC Deb 23 May 1978 vol 950 cc496-501W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will compile a list showing each of the employment and training measures to alleviate unemployment now in operation, showing in each case the date when each scheme commenced, the gross and net cost, the main purpose of the scheme, the age groups covered, the weekly wage or allowance paid, and whether or not it is taxable.

Mr. Golding

The following gives the information requested on the measures currently in operation:

Measure Date of Commencement Cost to 31st March 1978* Purpose of Scheme Age Groups Covered Weekly Wage or allowance Whether taxable
£m £
Temporary Employment Subsidy 18. 8.75 269 To encourage companies to defer threatened redundancies affecting 10 or more workers in an establishment. All ages £20 Supplement £10 §
Small Firms Employment Subsidy 1. 7.77 2 To create extra jobs in small manufacturing firms in the private sector in Special Development Areas. All ages £20 §
Youth Employment Subsidy† … 1. 10.76 9 To persuade employers to engage youngsters who have been unemployed 6 months or more. Under 20 £10 §
Job Introduction Scheme for Disabled Persons. 4. 7.77 0.036 To enable employers to give certain disabled people who have been out of work at least 6 months a subsidised job trial. All ages £30 §
Job Release Scheme … … 3. 1.77 17 To enable workers in their last year before reaching statutory pensionable age to give up their jobs and make way for an unemployed younger person. 64 (men) 59 (women) £26.50 £35 from 1st July §

Measure Date of Commencement Cost to 31st March 1978* Purpose of Scheme Age Groups Covered Weekly Wage or allowance Whether taxable
£m. £
Youth Opportunities Programme 1. 4.78 34‡ To provide a range of opportunities for unemployed young people in training courses and work experience schemes. 16 to 18 £19.50 No
Expansion of Community Industry. 5. 8.75 18 To provide employment for disadvantaged young people. 16 to 19 16–24.00 Yes
17–26.80
18–31.10
19–32.75
Special Temporary Employment Programme. 1. 4.78 Nil To provide unemployed people with full-time temporary employment on projects which benefit the community. Over 18 Local rate for job up to a maximum of £64.68. Yes
Job Creation Programme … 9.10.75 109 To provide unemployed young people with full-time temporary employment. All ages but priority to 19–24 and over 50. Local rate for job up to a maximum of £64.68. Yes
Expansion of training … … 2. 7.75 103 (a) To give short periods of training below craft level. (a) 16 to 19. (a) 19.50. (a) No.
(b) To enable industry to maintain its intake of apprentices and other long-term trainees. (b) All ages but mainly young people. (b) Varies; trainees in employment receive rate for the job. (b) Depends on type of payment.
* Provisional. The figures quoted are gross; net costs are considerably less and are on average a third to a half of the gross costs due to savings on unemployment and supplementary benefits increased tax revenue and national insurance contributions.
† Ended for applications on 31st March 1978 but payments will continue until the end of the year.
‡ This money was spent on the work experience programme which is continuing into the youth opportunities programme.
§ These subsidies are paid to employers; the workers concerned receive normal wages which are taxable.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will compile a list of all the measures to alleviate unemployment which have been introduced by his Department since this Government took office, distinguishing between those which are still in operation and those which are not.

Mr. Golding

A list of all the special measures that have been introduced by my department and the Manpower Services Commission to alleviate unemployment is given below. In addition, resources have been allocated to expand the employment, training and careers services to meet the special problems caused by the recession.

Special Measures still in operation

  • Temporary Employment Subsidy (and Supplement).
  • Job Creation Programme—closed for applications on 31st December 1977, but approved projects can continue throughout 1978.
  • Job Release Scheme.
  • Youth Employment Subsidy—subsidy payable for engagements made before 31st March 1978 but applications for it can be made until 30th June 1978.
  • Extension of Community Industry.
  • Job Introduction Scheme for Disabled People.
  • Small Firms Employment Subsidy.
  • Special Temporary Employment Programme.
  • Youth Opportunities Programme.
  • Training places supported in industry by the Special Measures Programme.

Special Measures Discontinued or included in other Programmes

  • Recruitment Subsidy for School Leavers—replaced by Youth Employment Subsidy.
  • Work Experience Programme—incorporated into the Youth Opportunities Programme.
  • Various TSA special training courses for Young People—incorporated into the Youth Opportunities Programme.