§ 41. Mr. Easthamasked the Secretary of State for Employment how much the Government are currently spending on the youth training scheme.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe estimate provision for expenditure on youth training in 1984–85 is £801.4 million.
§ 47. Mr. Patrick Thompsonasked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he will make a statement on the level of take-up of the youth training scheme at the end of November 1984.
§ 55. Mr. Eggarasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the take-up of the youth training scheme since September.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThere were about 327,000 entrants to the youth training scheme between the beginning of April and the end of November this year, including some 70,000 entrants since the end of September. I am most encouraged by the response to the scheme in its second year, which shows that young people recognise the advantages of participating in a high quality training programme.
The continuing tremendous support from employers and other sponsors means that there will be more than sufficient places to meet the needs of all eligible youngsters in the second year.
§ 57. Mr. Nellistasked the Secretary of State for Employment what is his estimate of the level of training allowance which would have been paid to trainees on the youth training scheme if that allowance had been increased since April 1978 by either the rise in the retail price index or the rise in average industrial earnings.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe youth training scheme did not come into operation until April 1983. Between April 1978 and October 1984 the general index of retail prices increased by 83.8 per cent., and between April 1978 and September 1984 the average earnings index increased by 105.1 per cent. If the youth opportunities programme allowance of £19.50 in April 1978 had been increased by the former amount, it would now be £35.84 and by the latter it would now be £39.99.