§ Mr. Geoffrey Finsbergasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will publish in the Official Report the unemployment figures in Camden compared with each of the past five years; why there have been increases; and what action he has taken or intends taking to reduce these unemployment figures.
§ Mr. Golding:The numbers registered as unemployed at Camden Town employment office during the last five years were:
TOTAL REGISTERED UNEMPLOYED AT THE CAMDEN TOWN EMPLOYMENT OFFICE Male Female Total October 1973 989 237 1,226 October 1974 1,273 328 1,601 October 1975 2,310 716 3,026 October 1976 2,890 902 3,792 October 1977 2,805 921 3,726 The rise in unemployment that has taken place in Camden since 1973 reflects not only the present economic recession, but also the fact that parts of Camden experience some of 880W the structural employment difficulties facing inner city areas.
We have introduced a number of special employment measures, and over 300 people have already benefited from these in Camden. We would welcome further applications under the Job Creation and Work Experience Programmes and for the Temporary and Youth Employment Subsidies. On 29th June my right hon. Friend announced further measures to reduce unemployment which will come into operation during 1978 and which should benefit unemployed people both in Camden and in the country as a whole. These include a youth opportunities programme which will give up to 230,000 unemployed youngsters each year a chance to participate in work preparation courses and to gain work experience This is about double the provision for young people under the present scheme. In addition, the youth employment subsidy scheme will be extended to 31st March 1978.
My right hon. Friend also announced two new provisions to help unemployed adults, replacing the existing job creation programme. The first will provide 8,000 places for adults from the unemployment register to instruct and supervise youngsters on work experience schemes. The second, the special temporary employment programme (STEP) will provide temporary employment opportunities of up to 12 months for 25,000 adults aged 19 and over.