§ 26. Mr. Richard Wainwrightasked the Secretary of State for Employment what percentage of participants in the youth opportunities programme have found full-time employment.
§ Mr. AlisonInformation on what happens to young people on leaving the youth opportunities programme is obtained by means of special surveys. The surveys cover a sample of young people who enter work experience schemes on the programme. The results of the eight surveys now completed are as follows:
Date of entry to the programme Percentage going into employment on leaving the Programme September/October 1978 68 June 1979 55 March/April 1979 54 June/July 1979 51 September/October 1979 56 January 1980 37 March 1980 36 April-June 1980 30
§ 29. Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he is satisfied that those employed on youth opportunities programmes are adequately advised regarding health and safety risks; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonThe procedures for advising trainees on schemes funded under the youth opportunities programme about health and safety risks are considered to be adequate. The number of young people participating in the programme is, however, increasing and the Manpower Services Commission is keeping under close review the question of health and safety in regard to the programme.
§ 39. Mr. Hicksasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any proposals to increase the level of the allowance paid to those participating in the youth opportunities programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ 47. Mr. James Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Employment when he expects to make an announcement about the level of the allowance for youth opportunities programme participants.
§ Mr. AlisonI refer my hon. Friend and the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend today.
§ Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people joined the youth opportunities programme in the first six months of the current financial year; and how many are expected to be accommodated if the "Christmas undertaking" is met.
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§ Mr. AlisonIt is estimated that some 320,000 young people entered the youth opportunities programme between the beginning of April and the end of September 1981. Around 440,000 young people are expected to enter the programme by Christmas 1981.
§ Mr. Dubsasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people have completed a youth opportunities programme in the last 12 months; how many of them have since found a permanent job; and how many are unemployed.
§ Mr. AlisonInformation is not available on the numbers of young people who have completed a youth opportunities programme scheme in the last 12 months. However it is estimated some 320,000 young people entered the programme from 1 April to the end of October this year. Regular sample surveys are conducted to discover what happens to young people when they complete work experience schemes on the programme. The most recent survey, which covered a sample of young people who entered the youth opportunities programme in the period April to June 1980, showed that 30 per cent. went into employment immediately after leaving their schemes.
§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received in connection with the provision of free travel for trainees under the youth opportunities programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AlisonMany representations have been made to this Department about the youth opportunities programme allowance, and some of these have been about the travel costs incurred through participation. My right hon. Friend has now announced that the allowance will be raised to £25 a week from 1 January 1982; the threshold of £4 above which the MSC will reimburse travel costs remains unaltered.