§ 26. Mr. Stan Thorneasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to create new jobs in the Preston travel-to-work area.
§ Mr. AlisonJobs can be created only by firms which make profits and firms can make profits only if they are able to satisfy consumers at home and abroad. What the Government can do is to help create favourable conditions in which firms can operate.
The Government's policies are therefore aimed at developing a soundly-based economy. We have already made progress towards this end. Inflation has been reduced to 9.4 per cent, with a continuing fall in prospect, and interest rates have been moderated. Industrial productivity has risen sharply, partly because fewer days were lost last year through strikes than in any year except one since 1967. Our international competitiveness has increased accordingly.
All this has formed a firm foundation for improved employment prospects. From now on, the more British firms there are which can offer goods and services at home and abroad which people want to buy, at prices they are prepared to pay, the more new jobs we shall see both in Preston and throughout the country.
Meanwhile, as we progress towards our objectives, Preston will continue to benefit from the Government's 37W programme of special employment measures. Some 2,500 people in the Preston area are currently benefiting from the job release scheme, the temporary short time working compensation scheme and the community enterprise programme. Over 450 applications under the young workers scheme have been approved and since 1 April 1981, over 5,700 young people have entered the youth opportunities programme.