HC Deb 16 December 1987 vol 124 cc577-8W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment under the Goverment's proposals for training for the unemployed, how many(a) single persons and (b) married men are expected to receive (i) more and (ii) less than the present £67 per week average paid under the existing community programme; what percentages these are of the total; and if he will give a breakdown according to whether persons will gain or lose by multiples of £5 a week.

Mr. Lee

It is not possible to provide this information until the level of the premium over benefit to be paid to participants is known. We are currently awaiting the MSC's recommendations on this and other aspects of the new programme.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the balance between single persons and married persons and, within the latter category, according to the number of children in participants on the job training scheme and on the community programme; and what is the balance expected under the Government's proposals for training for the unemployed.

Mr. Lee

Of the information requested about current programmes, the only item currently available is that about 20 per cent. of community programme participants are married. The Government have made no detailed

Year Reported occupational injuries in Great Britain, resulting in death to over 3 day abscence from work
employees only employees and self-employed major injury to employees and self-employed to employees only1(thousands) employees and self-employed (thousands)
1961 1,228 ֵ ֵ
1962 1,173 ֵ 714
1963 1,114 ֵ 775
1964 1,087 ֵ 844
1965 1,069 ֵ 849
1966 1,066 ֵ 824
1967 897 ֵ 824
1968 947 ֵ 803
1969 934 ֵ 796
1970 821 ֵ 685
1971 780 ֵ 622
1972 671 ֵ 630
1973 765 ֵ 623
1974 651 ֵ 577
1975 620 ֵ ֵ
1976 584 ֵ 553
1977 524 ֵ 579
1978 622 ֵ 581
1979 615 ֵ 509
19802 579 ֵ 407

assumptions about the breakdown of those participating in the new programme. However, we expect many more married people, including those with children, will take part in the new programme.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give a detailed breakdown of the expected budget of £ 1,500 million under the Government's proposed plans for training for the unemployed; if he will specify how the training element and payment to participants are broken down; and what are the comparable figures for the present job training scheme or community programme.

Mr. Lee

The annual budget for the new programme is expected to be just under £1.5 billion, which is the total amount provided for the current programmes the new programme is intended to replace. The actual budget for the new programme will depend on what my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State finally decides should be included within it, and the programme. We are awaiting the recommendations of the Manpower Services Commission.