§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the latest unemployment figure for Kirkby.
§ Mr. GoldingAt 11 January, 5,435 people were registered as unemployed in Kirkby—over 100 fewer than a year ago. The Government recognise that the level of unemployment in Kirkby, and on Merseyside as a whole, remains far too high and we are determined to continue to do all we can to reduce it substantially. Because of its status as a special development area, Kirkby will continue to benefit from the highest levels of regional assistance available under the Industry Act to encourage investment and stimulate employment. In addition, the area will continue to benefit from the special employment measures. These have so far helped over 5,000 people in Kirkby.
In particular, for young people every effort is being made to try to meet the Government's undertaking that no young 623W person who left school in Easter or summer of 1978 and who remains unemployed at Easter 1979 shall be without the offer of a suitable opportunity within the youth opportunities programme. At 11 January 420 school leavers under 18 years of age were registered as unemployed in Kirkby, of whom 250 were covered by the Easter undertaking and had yet to receive the offer of an opportunity in YOP. In areas such as Kirkby the needs of young people are greater and potential sponsors for YOP are fewer than elsewhere but initiatives are being taken to help overcome this problem.