§ 51. Sir Anthony Meyerasked the Secretary of State for Employment what proposals he has received from the Trades Union Congress for a reduction in unemployment through schemes for job sharing.
§ Mr. Alan ClarkI have received no proposals from the Trades Union Congress designed to bring about a reduction in unemployment through job sharing schemes. We currently operate two experimental schemes — the job splitting and part-time job release schemes—which are designed to encourage the provision of more part-time jobs for the unemployed. As my right hon. Friend announced on 12 November, at column 444, both schemes will now remain open for applications for a further year with improved rules to encourage take-up.