HC Deb 10 November 1992 vol 213 c757W
Mr. Ralph Howell

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration she has given to the introduction of workfare to help solve the problem of rising unemployment.

Mr. McLoughlin

As my hon. Friend is aware, we have no plans for a compulsory work programme for unemployed people. Our priority remains to help unemployed people back into work through our employment and training programmes.

Proposed redundancies in the period 1 August 1992 to 31 October 1992
SIC Number SIC Number Description Number of Establishments Number of Employees Per cent, of Total Redundancies Notified
11 Coal extraction and solid fuels 11 3,358 20.49
32 Mechanical engineering 47 2,125 12.97
35 Manufacturer of motor vehicles and parts 24 1,465 8.94
50 Construction 27 1,141 6.96
34 Electrical and electronic engineering 23 949 5.79
24 Manufacturer of non-metal mineral products 20 673 4.11
83 Other business services and central offices 19 658 4.02
91 Local and national government services 7 652 3.98
31 Manufacture of other metal goods 13 505 3.08
41 Food/groceries/dairy products 13 505 3.08
96 Social work/charitable services 1 396 2.42
42 Drinks, animal foods and tobacco 4 354 2.16
66 Hotels and catering 8 352 2.15
22 Metal manufacturing 11 337 2.06
49 Other manufacturing industries 8 317 1.93
92 Other services 7 303 1.85
64 Retail distribution 7 284 1.73
48 Processing rubber and plastics 9 277 1.69
36 Manufacturing other transport equipment 2 209 1.28
81 Banking financial services 3 204 1.25
37 Instrument engineering 2 155 0.95
46 Wooden furniture industries 6 136 0.83