§ Dr. Roger Thomas asked the Secretary of State for Employment if, in order to ensure that every school leaver is in a job or in a training scheme by the end of 1981, he will make any detailed announcement of extended training on youth opportunities programme schemes as early as possible.
§ Mr. Alison:The Government have asked the Manpower Services Commission to undertake to offer a suitable opportunity on the youth opportunities programme to all unemployed 1981 school leavers by Christmas 1981. To help meet this target the Government announced on 27 July an increase of £93 million for the programme. In addition, the employment services and the careers service have been asked to give priority to school leavers when placing people on the youth opportunities programme.
As part of the resulting increased provision which has been created for young people under the programme, the commission has already introduced a number of 12—month training courses, known as work skills courses, designed for the more able young unemployed who have the potential to progress ultimately to semi—skilled levels and above.
An announcement about the future development of schemes to help the young unemployed will be made in due course.
Dr. Roger Thomas asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to improve the standard and effectiveness of youth opportunities programme schemes, in particular to improve the proportion of trainees finding permanent employment.
§ Mr. Alison:The Manpower Services Commission is already taking a wide range of steps to improve the quality of youth opportunities programme schemes including the injection of more training and further education and drawing in the training expertise of industry.
Dr. Roger Thomas asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will take steps to ensure that employers do not use youth training programmes as a source of cheap labour rather than training opportunities.
§ Mr. Alison:The Manpower Services Commission, which administers the youth opportunities programme, takes a very serious view of any abuse by sponsors of 420W schemes. Stringent appraisal and monitoring procedures designed to prevent abuse already exist and are kept under constant review.
Dr. Roger Thomas asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will consider increasing the youth opportunities training allowance to the figure of £28 as recommended by the Manpower Services Commission, in order to encourage its being taken up by people who at the present allowance are hardly better off after paying travelling expenses than if in receipt of supplementary benefit and remaining idle.
§ Mr. Alison:Yes. But I understand that over 14,000 young people are currently entering the youth opportunities programme every week and I do not therefore think the allowance is acting as a significant disincentive.
Mr. McNamara asked the Secretary of State for Employment what communications he has received from young persons on the youth opportunities programme in Hull in relation to their youth opportunities programme allowance; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. Alison:I have received letters from 40 young people in Hull all asking that the youth opportunities programme allowance be raised. My answer is that I am considering the level of allowance in the light of the advice I have received from the Manpower Services Commission and will be making an announcement shortly.
Mr. Alfred Morris asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many representations his Department has had in the last three months about abuses of the youth opportunities programme; if he will list the abuses complained of; what action has been taken; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alison:No record is kept of allegations of abuse. All such allegations are investigated by the Manpower Services Commission and if abuse is found the scheme is withdrawn unless immediate steps can be taken to remedy it.
Mr. Pendry asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether, in view of the fact that more than 2,000 young people are injured each year while working in the youth opportunities programme, measures are now being considered to improve safety regulations on the scheme.
§ Mr. Alison:The majority of accidents to young people on the youth opportunities programme are of a minor nature. The Manpower Services Commission, which operates the programme, is, however, very concerned to reduce any risks to young people on schemes and is keeping closely in touch with the Health and Safety Executive and other appropriate organisations on further measures to achieve this.