HC Deb 01 June 1981 vol 5 cc269-70W
Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what increase in the youth opportunities programme allowance would be necessary to allow for inflation in the current year; and what would be the total cost of this increase.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The current youth opportunities programme allowance was set at £23.50 in November 1979. Since that time the retail price index has risen by 22.9 per cent. and the allowance would have to be increased to £29 in order to restore its real value to the November 1979 level. The total cost of this increase in 1981–82 would be about £46 million. The Government believe that the current allowance still provides young people with an incentive to join the youth opportunities programme, but I shall be reviewing the level of the allowance later this year in the context of the annual review of special programmes.

Mr. Foster

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he plans to increase the youth opportunities programme allowance in the current year.

Mr. Peter Morrison

The level of the allowance will be considered as part of the review of special employment measures later this year. Meanwhile, the Government believe that the present level of allowance still represents a sufficient lead over benefit rates to attract the 16 and 17-year-olds on whom the youth opportunities programme now concentrates.

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Employment (1) how much the Manpower Services Commission spent on the youth opportunities programme scheme for work experience on employers' premises in the agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries, respectively, in 1980; and what are the estimates for 1981;

(2) how many young people found permanent employment in the agricultural, horticultural and forestry industries after a Manpower Services Commission programme in 1980; and what percentage this represents of the total number on the Manpower Services Commission's agricultural programme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

I am informed by the Manpower Services Commission that this information is not available.