§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is the cost in a full financial year of the Government's "Fit for Work" campaign; how many people have been found work by the campaign; and what is the estimated saving in unemployment and other benefits brought about by their employment.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am advised by the Manpower Services Commission that during the financial year 1979–80, which included the launch of the campaign, expenditure was £491,214. Expenditure in454W to-work area and the Newton-le-Willows employment office area to the latest available date; and what were the figures in May 1979 and August 1979, respectively.
§ Mr. Jim LesterThe following table gives the available information.
Unemployment rates are calculated only for complete travel-to-work areas and employment office areas outside travel-to-work areas. They are not available separately, therefore, for Irlam and Newton-le-Willows which are parts of the Manchester and Warrington travel-to-work areas, respectively.
he will express the number of training places as a percentage of both the total insured work force and the total unemployed in each planning region.
§ Mr. Jim LesterI am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that the information is as set out below:
the current financial year is expected to be in the region of some £170,000.
It is not possible to say how many disabled people have been found work as a direct result of the campaign, although the right hon. Member may like to know that the proportion of disabled people among the unemployed population is now somewhat lower than it was when the campaign started in September last year.
The campaign is aimed at influencing attitudes towards all aspects of employing disabled people, whether they are seeking work or already in work but whose potential may not be used to the full.
455WThis will be a long process, but the impression of employers' immediate reactions has been encouraging.