§ Mr. David Youngasked the Secretary of State for Employment what consideration he is giving to increase the present payment of young people undertaking work experience; and when he will make a statement on the outcome of any deliberations that are taking place.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 30 March 1981, c. 14]: I have nothing further to add to the reply given to the hon. Member for Birmingham, Perry Barr (Mr. Rooker) on 29 January 1981. —[Vol. 997, c. 481.]
§ Dr. Edmund Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Employment what are the present rates of payments of allowances to persons undertaking training opportunity scheme courses.
§ Mr. Peter Morrison[pursuant to his reply, 30 March 1981, c. 14]: Allowances paid at present to trainees under the Manpower Services Commission's training opportunities scheme vary according to age and family responsibilities. The following tables show basic payments in detail.
1. Trainees without Dependants Living at home Living away from home Aged 19 £24.15 £20.00 Aged 20 and over £32.35 £28.25
2. Trainees with Resident Spouse and no Dependent Children Living at home Living away from home Spouse's earnings: Not more than £11.45 £43.80 £42.15 Over £11.45 £32.35 £30.70 117W
3. Trainees with Resident Spouse/Housekeeper and Dependent Children Number of Children Spouse/housekeeper's earnings Living at home Living away from home Not more than 1 £12.30 £45.50 £43.85 Over £12.30 £33.20 £31.55 Not more than 2 £13.15 £47.20 £45.55 Over £13.15 £34.05 £32.40 Not more than 3 £14.00 £48.90 £47.25 Over £14.00 £34.90 £33.25 Not more than 4 £14.85 £50.60 £48.95 Over £14.85 £35.75 £34.10 (Additional increases in allowances are payable for more than four children)
4. Trainees with no Resident Spouse/Housekeeper but maintaining Dependent Children Living at home Living away from home 1 dependent child £34.05 £32.40 2 dependent children £35.75 £34.10 (An additional £1.70 is payable for the third and each additional child)
In addition, there is provision to help trainees meet their essential expenses of training as follows:
A free midday meal five days per week or a meals allowance of £3.25 per week.
The cost of daily travel to and from the course if the journey is over two miles.
The reasonable cost of lodging at the local prevailing rate for people who have to train away from home.
An earnings-related supplement based on the amount of earnings in the appropriate income tax year may also be payable.
As I told the hon. Member in my reply to him of 25 March—[Vol. 1, c. 351]—the allowances paid to trainees under TOPS are being changed with effect from the first full pay week on or after 2 April 1981.