HC Deb 25 October 1982 vol 29 c294W
Mr. Cyril Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what objections he has received to the Manpower Services Commission's announced community programme; and if he will list such objections, particularly those from councils of voluntary service.

Mr. Alison:

The following list contains the objections which have been made by voluntary organisations, together with my comments on them:

  1. (i) Difficulties in the recruitment of workers.It is too early to evaluate this problem. Many unemployed people would be financially better off on the community programme and I hope will accept places.
  2. (ii) The payment of lower wages.Workers on the community programme will be paid the rate for the job, as under the community enterprse programme. There will be many full time as well as part time jobs. Even on part time jobs many unemployed people will be financially better off than if they remain unemployed.
  3. (iii) Administration difficulties.I suggest that voluntary organisations discuss this problem with the Manpower Services Commission to see if mutually acceptable arrangements can be made.
  4. (iv) The provision of part time work.I believe it is right to introduce part time work as a means of using the available resources to help a larger number of unemployed people.
  5. (v) The absence of training available.I am pointing out to those who make this criticism that there is more provision for training under the community programme than under the community enterprise programme. Training may be financed from the operating costs element of up to£440 per year and from up to£10 per head per week of the wages element.
  6. (vi) The curtailment of the community enterprise programme.Current community enterprise programme projects will continue in their present form until their agreement runs out and may if necessary be extended to March 1983. Projects under the community programme will be run using the same criteria as the community enterprise programme and the Manpower Services Commission officials will do all they can to assist sponsors to adapt their projects to the new programme.