HC Deb 01 August 1980 vol 989 cc870-1W
Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people are currently receiving temporary short-time working compensation payments; and what is the system for the remainder of the year.

Mr. Jim Lester

As at 30 June 1980, there were some 126,900 workers on short-time under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme. The present scheme, which is due to close for applications on 31 March 1981, will be reviewed together with other special employment measures later in the year, in line with normal practice.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what estimates he has made of the cost of the temporary short-time working compensation scheme for the coming year.

Mr. Jim Lester

The Supply Estimates for 1980–81 include £39.9 million for expenditure on the temporary short-time working compensation scheme and it is too early yet to make a realistic estimate of the outturn expenditure for the year. No decision has been taken about continuation of the scheme beyond March 1981 and no estimate has been made of expenditure in 1981–82.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many applications are currently being processed, to the nearest convenient date, for payments under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme.

Mr. Jim Lester

For the month of June 1980, under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme, 1,305 claims were approved for payment, covering some 126,900 workers on short time.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the total annual cost of the temporary short-time working compensation scheme.

Mr. Jim Lester

Expenditure under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme for the financial year 1979–80 was £231 million and £20.2 million for the first three months of the financial year 1980–81.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what has been the annual number of refusals for payments under the temporary short-time working compensation scheme whilst it has been in operation; and what has been the actual percentage granted.

Mr. Jim Lester

During the first 12 months of the temporary short-time working compensation scheme—1 April 1979 to 31 March 1980–1,886 applications were processed, of these 60 per cent. were rejected and 1,589 (84 per cent.) were approved; the remainder were withdrawn by the employer. From 1 April 80 to 30 June 80—the latest date available—1,408 applications were processed, of which 1,178–84 per cent.—approved; the remainder were cancelled by the employer.