§ Mr. WicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to increase youth training scheme allowances for 17-year-olds.
§ Miss WiddecombeWe have no plans to increase minimum youth training allowances. Minimum YT allowances are set at levels which reflect the fact that trainees are involved in the learning process.
Employers and training providers benefit from considerable Government investment in the training of young people. Because of this, they are encouraged to pay trainees more than the specified minimum rates of allowance wherever possible and many do so.