HC Deb 27 October 1981 vol 10 c319W
Mr. Pavitt

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in view of the record number of people unemployed in Brent, he will now urgently introduce measures to create jobs in the area.

Mr. Peter Morrison:

The Government's policies are aimed at bringing down the rate of inflation and producing conditions that will help our firms become competitive. When these aims are achieved we shall see new worthwhile jobs created both in Brent and throughout the country.

Meanwhile we are continuing with our programme of special employment and training measures that are helping large numbers of people in Brent.

Special Measures

The number of people currently benefiting from the Governments special employment and training measures in Brent are as follows:

Temporary Short Time Working Compensation Scheme: 331 Potentially redundant jobs supported.Job Release Scheme118 people currently benefiting.Youth Opportunities Programme250 young people have entered the scheme between 1 April 1981 and 31 August 1981.Community Enterprise Programme420 people have entered the Scheme between 1 April 1981 and 31 August 1981.Community Industry (No units in Brent)Nil.

We are also launching a new scheme—the young workers scheme—to encourage employers to take on young people under the age of 18.

Unemployed for up to 4 weeks (October 1981) Unemployed aged 55 years and over (July 1981—latest available)
South-East 90,978 13.3 94,571 14.9
East Anglia 10,573 15.1 11,557 17.0
South-West 24,692 13.7 29,145 17.3
West Midlands 29,355 8.4 48,964 14.9