HC Deb 26 June 1979 vol 969 cc139-41W
Mr. Ted Fletcher

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will state the number of firms in the Darlington employment area who are receiving small firms employment subsidies, the number receiving support from the temporary short-time working scheme, the number of workers affected and the number of outstanding applications.

Mr. Jim Lester

As at 31 May 1979, 92 applications for subsidy under the small firms employment subsidy scheme had been received from firms in the Darlington employment office area, of which 88 have been approved and 4 rejected. At the same date 146 extra jobs were being supported by the scheme.

No applications for support under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme have been received from firms in the Darlington employment office area.

Miss Wright

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many firms in the Birmingham employment office areas, listed by area, receive support from the temporary short-time working schemes; how many people are affected; and how many applications are outstanding.

Mr. Jim Lester

As at 21 June 1979, one application for temporary short-time working compensation was in payment in the Birmingham employment office area, 25 jobs were at risk of redundancy and 76 workers were sharing short-time working.

One application in the Erdington employment office area, was awaiting decision.

Miss Wright

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many persons in Birmingham are currently being assisted by the various schemes and arrangements for job saving and employment creation for which his Department is responsible; how many of these persons are under 21 years; whether he intends to continue these schemes at at least the present level in Birmingham; and, if not, if he will give his reasons.

Mr. Jim Lester

I regret that the information is not available in precisely the form requested. Following are the numbers of people involved in special employment measures in the Birmingham area:

  • Youth opportunities programme–3,138 participants since April 1978.
  • Special temporary employment programme—103 participants since April 1978.
  • Small firms employment subsidy—1,783 places currently supported.
  • Job release scheme—457 people currently supported.
  • Temporary short-time working compensation scheme—25 jobs currently supported.
  • Community industry—131 places currently supported.
  • Job introduction scheme—4 people currently supported.

The temporary employment subsidy, which closed for application on 31 March, is currently supporting 9,545 jobs in the West Midlands region. Information on the age of participants is not available, but the majority of those engaged in the youth opportunities programme and community industry are likely to be under 21 years of age. All these schemes, with the exception of the small firms employment subsidy, will continue to be available in Birmingham, although there will be a reduced period of support under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme. The level of support will depend on the extent to which individuals, employers and other sponsors apply for each scheme. The changes announced in these schemes reduce public expenditure thus leaving room for the cuts in direct taxation which, by restoring incentives, offer the best prospects for the creation of permanent jobs in Birmingham as in the rest of the country.