§ 77. Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a further statement on the progress of two-year YTS.
§ Mr. CopeOver 80 per cent. of those who complete their two-year YTS programme go into employment; over 60 per cent. of those who complete gain a qualification. YTS is providing the skills and qualification that young people and the country needs as we move into the 1990s.
§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many YTS trainees were in receipt of a 175W training agency lodging allowance to undertake training away from their home by training agency area, at the end of March 1988, and the end of January, February and March 1989; and how many were in receipt of the allowance by region at March of each year since YTS started.
§ Mr. CopeThe information requested is not available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
§ Ms. ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many people of YTS eligible age, registered with jobcentres or the careers service were awaiting an offer of a YTS place at the end of January, February and March 1989; and of those how many were receiving bridging allowance or extended child benefit or income support.
§ Mr. CopeI am satisfied that the Training Agency has more than sufficient YTS places available in all areas of the country for all those who apply for one.
Information on numbers receiving bridging allowance and for those whose parents were receiving extended child benefit is provided in the table. Information on the number of young people receiving income support is not available.
Numbers receiving bridging allowance Date Number 12 January 1989 11,994 9 February 1989 14,163 9 March 1989 13,955
Numbers whose parents are receiving extended child benefit Date Number 30 January 1989 1,451 27 February 1989 1,960 27 March 1989 2,000