HC Deb 19 December 1980 vol 996 c380W
Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how much the allowance paid to trainees in the youth opportunities programme would now have to be to equal in real terms that paid in November 1979; and when the allowance was last increased.

Mr. Jim Lester

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the allowance payable to YOP trainees would need to have been raised to £27 per week to reflect in real terms that paid in November 1979, when the allowance was last increased.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many people (a) nationally, (b) in the North-West, (c) on Merseyside, (d) in Kirkby and (e) in Ormskirk, are employed in the youth opportunities programme.

Mr. Jim Lester

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the following number of young people were participating in the youth opportunities programme (YOP) at the end of October 1980.

Number of young people on YOP at end of October
Great Britain 151,000
North-West 26,600
Merseyside 8,900

Filled place figures for YOP are usually available only down to regional level. However, in certain large, well-defined areas such as Merseyside, filled place figures can be estimated. Figures for Kirkby and Ormskirk are however not available in the form requested. My right hon. Friend announced on 21 November a major expansion of the programme in 1981–82 to provide around 440,000 opportunities for unemployed young people.

Mr. Kilroy-Silk

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the total saving in a full 12-month period of not increasing the allowance paid to youth opportunities programme trainees.

Mr. Jim Lester

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the saving which would accrue in a full 12-month period as a result of not increasing the allowance paid to YOP trainees would depend on the average level of filled places in the programme throughout the year and the level of any proposed increases in the allowance.