§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons have been interviewed each month under the restart programme since it started; of these, what percentage each month have entered employment; and what percentage have left the register but not obtained a job.
§ Mr. FowlerThe number of people interviewed under the restart programme is shown in the table. We have no means of knowing what percentage of those interviewed have entered employment or left the register but did not obtain a job. The aim of the restart interview is to help an unemployed person into employment by selecting the best way open to them from a wide range of employment, training and job search opportunities available. Around nine out of 10 of those interviewed are made offers which might lead ultimately to employment and 70 per cent. agree to pursue an offer made to them at their restart interview.
Numbers of Restart Counselling Interviews Number June 1986 51,355 July 110,387 August 86,329 September 98,973 October 159,192 November 155,262 December 106,834 January 1987 198,165 February 184,531 March 126,587 April 86,466 May 142,382 June 180,584 July 240,540 August 191,852 September 182,162
§ Mr. Macdonaldasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the total number of claimants in the Western Isles who have had a restart interview in 287W each month since the commencement of the scheme, and the percentage of these who have subsequently found full-time work.
§ Mr. LeeI regret that the information is not available in the format requested. However, figures for the number of people who have received restart interviews in the employment service areas covering the Highlands and Islands, and Renfrew, Dumbarton and Argyll are shown.
It is not possible to say how many of those people interviewed under the restart scheme ultimately find full-time jobs since we do not follow up every participant.
Highlands and Islands area
- Number of restart interviews — June 1986–March 1987 = 5,698
- Number of restart interviews — 9 April 1987–25 September 1987 = 4,335
Renfrew, Dumbarton and Argyll area
- Number of restart interviews — June 1986–March 1986 = 8,557
- Number of restart interviews — 9 April 1987–25 September 1987 = 17,716
§ Mr. Gordon Brownasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many claimants in Dunfermline, East have been refused benefit following a restart interview in each month since the commencement of the restart scheme.
§ Mr. Hoodasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will give the total number of claimants in the Clydesdale constituency who have been refused benefit following the restart interview in each month since the commencement of the restart scheme.
§ Mr. LeeAny refusal of benefit subsequent to a restart interview follows not from the interview itself but from the decision of an independent adjudication officer operating under long-standing legal rules adopted by successive Governments.