§ 4. Mr. Haselhurstasked the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received about the operation of the youth opportunities programme; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BoothI have received representations about the operation of the youth opportunities programme from a wide range of bodies and am glad to say that the support the programme has enjoyed, including that from sponsors, the careers service and local authorities, has been most heartening. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State and myself have discussed with the Manpower Services Commission the few problems that have arisen in meeting the programme's targets and I am confident these targets will be met.
The Manpower Services Commission has reviewed the operation of the programme and made recommendations on its size and nature for 1979–80. I am glad to say that the Government have agreed to an expansion of the programme as I indicated in my answer to the hon. Member for Sheffield, Hillsborough (Mr. Flannery).
The Government have also agreed to changes in the rules of the youth opportunities programme. Priority will continue to be given to school leavers and to those young people who have been unemployed for long periods. For unemployed school leavers we are renewing the undertaking given last year so that no young person aged under 19 who leaves school in the course of the school year 1978–79 should remain unemployed by Easter 1980 without the offer of a suitable place in the programme. The rule that unemployed summer school leavers should not be admitted to the programme 98W before 1 September will be replaced with guidance to those operating the programme. The rule that young people should be unemployed for six weeks before admittance to the programme will be retained but with specific modifications and exemptions for certain groups.