§ Miss Boothroydasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many registered unemployed between 16 and 21 years of age there were in the Sandwell and Dudley travel-to-work area in May 1979; what were the comparable figures at the latest available date; and how many of those currently unemployed in these age groups have been unemployed for longer than six months.
§ Mr. AlisonThe numbers registered as unemployed are analysed by age in January, April, July and October. At April 1979, the number of young people under 20 years of age registered as unemployed in the Dudley and Sandwell travel-to-work area was 1,807. The corresponding figure at January 1982 was 7,300, of whom 3,276 had been unemployed for over 26 weeks. The figures include school leavers and are not seasonally adjusted. Information for the precise age range specified is not available.
290WThe number of vacancies unfilled at a particular date takes no account of the flow of vacancies being notified, filled or withdrawn which whould reflect activity more closely. For example, during the twelve month period to December 1981, 81,625 people were placed in jobs by employment offices in the West Midlands region. It is estimated that the public employment service accounts for about one in four of all placings.
I regret that my reply of 16 February contained a typographical error. The figure for people placed in jobs during the twelve month period to December 1981 should have read 1,363,108. I apologise to the hon. Member for any inconvenience caused by this mistake.
The youth opportunities programme exists to help unemployed young people, especially school leavers, and this year has been expanded to provide over half a million training opportunities.