§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the current numbers of participants on the young workers scheme at the different levels of subsidy to their employers.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkUnder the current young workers scheme, the payment to employers for jobs which qualify for support is £15 per week. The payment for jobs which were accepted for support before 1 April 1984, when the rules of the scheme were changed, is either £15 or £7.50 a week, depending upon the level of the young person's gross weekly earnings. On 28 September, the latest date for which information is available, 70,000 jobs were supported. A detailed breakdown could be provided only at disproportionate cost, but it is estimated that about 7 per cent. are at the lower level of support.