§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will publish a table showing the various grants available, per week, classified by the age of the recipient, for young people receiving unemployment benefit, grants under the youth opportunities scheme, grants under the training opportunities scheme, and any other grants payable by his Department, classified as to whether the recipient lives at home within two miles from his place of work, and away from home, respectively; and how this compares with the national rate of pay in the engineering industry.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 18 December 1979, Vol. 976]: The following table gives information on unemployment benefit, grants and allowances payable by my Department weekly, compared with national minimum rates of pay in the engineering industry for young people aged under 19. The figures given are for single young people with no dependants.
The grants do not vary with distance travelled but in the case of YOP and employment rehabilitation allowances travel expenses over £4.00 a week are reimbursed. In addition, travel expenses over £2.35 per week are reimbursed for those receiving employment rehabilitation allowances who are disabled, and there is help with fares and home visits for young people in employment receiving help under the employment transfer 495W scheme. Youngsters under 19 are not eligible for the training opportunities scheme.
(i) Unemployment Benefit £per week Flat rate and assuming full contributions record 18.50 (ii) Youth Opportunities Programme (including Employment Rehabilitation Courses) Flat rate allowance (travel expenses over £4 per week, or over £2.35per week if disabled, paid by MSC) 23.50 Abated allowance if living in lodgings with lodgings expenses (including mid-day meal)paid 15.65 (iii) Employment Transfer Scheme For Applicants without dependants—disturbance allowance—£14.00 per week (for first 3 months), £7.00 per week (for next 9 months) For Applicants with continuing liabilities in their homes areas—up to £17.00 per week (for up to 2 years)—Plus help with fares, house buying and selling and household removal. Also, up to 4 assisted home visits a year for those under 18
(iv) Minimum Rates of Pay in the Engineering Industry Apprentices £ per week Aged 16 … … … … 32.85 Aged 17 … … … … 43.80 Aged 18 … … … 54.75 Junior Unskilled Workers Aged 16 … … … … 26.25 Aged 17 … … … … 36.75 Aged 18 … … … … 42.00 The Manpower Services Commission is reviewing the scope and structure of allowances for all their various programmes.