HC Deb 09 March 1983 vol 38 cc393-4W
Mr. John Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made towards

Unemployment, third quarter 1982, unadjusted, national definitions Working population or equivalent¶
Number (000) Rate (per cent.) Number (000)
Male Female Total Male Female Total Male Female Total
Norway* 25 31 56 2.2 3.7 2.8 1,158 836 1,994
Sweden* 79 80 158 3.3 3.9 3.6 2,385 2,053 4,438
Finland* 72 71 143 5.4 5.9 5.6 1,341 1,201 2,542
Denmark† 121 103 223 8.3 8.6 8.4 1,455 1,194 2,649
United Kingdom‡ 2,137 802 2,939 15.5 8.5 12.6 13,803 9,487 23,290
Austria*● 65 49 114 3.2 3.9 3.5 2,024 1,269 3,293
West Germany|| 950 813 1,763 ■ ■ 7.4 ■ ■ 23,672
Notes:
* Labour force sample survey; rate calculated as a percentage of total labour force.

guaranteeing every north west England 16-year-old school leaver a place in the current year on the youth training scheme.

Mr. Peter Morrison

Under the youth training scheme, all 16-year-old 1983 school leavers who are unemployed during their first year after leaving school will be guaranteed an early offer of a place.

Mr. John Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Employment since the discount rate of £14.70 per hour, compared with the full cost of £22 per hour, is being used by employers when they negotiate with further education colleges to provide the off-the-job youth training scheme element, how the loss of income to the colleges will be made up.

Mr. Peter Morrison

At present colleges provide further education courses for employed young people at a discounted rate or free of charge, many of whom will in future be dealt with under the youth training scheme.

The local education authorities and the Confederation of British Industry took this into account when they recently agreed the level of fees for off-the-job training at colleges of further education under the youth training scheme.

Mr. Proctor

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what agreements have been reached with companies in the Basildon area of Essex to provide privately funded or jointly funded places for youth and training opportunities; whether he expects to reach any further such agreements in the near future; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Morrison

In the Basildon area, it is expected that about 1,200 young people will enter the youth training scheme places with employers in 1983–84. More than 250 places have so far been promised.