§ Mr. Barry Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the recently announced £250 million package for the youth opportunities programme and the special temporary employment programme and the new rates of supplementary and unemployment benefits, he will increase the youth opportunities programme standard trainee allowance which has been frozen since November 1979; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Jim Lester[pursuant to his reply, 12 December 1980, c. 813]: The Government considered very carefully the level of YOP allowance for 1981–82, in the context of the cost of a very much enlarged programme. The programme will be aimed at 16 and 17-year-olds and for this age group we feel that the present rate of £23.50 per week represents a sufficient lead over benefit rates, for the programme to reach its target group.