§ 28. Sir William van Straubenzeeasked the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to review the working of the youth training scheme at the end of its first year.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonMy right hon. Friend has received recommendations from the Manpower Services Commission on the future development of the youth training scheme following a review conducted by a sub-group of the Youth Training Board. These recommendations are being carefully considered.
§ 54. Mr. Holtasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people have joined the youth training scheme since April; and how this compares with the same period in 1983.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonAbout 46,000 youngsters entered the scheme between April and June this year, more than twice the number for the same period last year.
I am most encouraged by the response to the scheme at the beginning of its second year. It shows that young people recognise the advantages of participating in a high quality training programme.
The continuing magnificent 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.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set out the terms of the new compensation scheme for vacated mode A places on the youth training scheme; when and under what powers this compensation scheme was approved; if he will give details of the scheme it replaced; what comparable scheme exists in mode B; and what amounts of public spending (a) have been incurred in 1983–84 through existing compensation schemes for empty places showing separately mode A, mode B1 training workshops, community programmes, information technology centres, and mode B2 and (b) are budgeted for 1984–85 similarly broken down.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThe youth training scheme has, since its inception, compensated managing agents for vacated places. Under the rules that operated for 1983–84 contracts, managing agents were required to produce detailed evidence of their inescapable costs arising from mode A training places which had been vacated and could not be refilled. A period of six weeks must elapse between a place being vacated and any claim being considered. If no young person was available, or became available to fill a vacated place, a payment of up to £12 per place per week could be assessed and paid.
These procedures involved complex accounting and validation exercises for both managing agents and Manpower Services Commission staff out of proportion to the sums involved. Following an approach from the commission, I have therefore decided in principle that for 1984–85 mode A contracts compensation will be available to managing agents who certify that they have incurred inescapable costs. Compensation will be at a flat rate of £8.50 per place per week for the duration of the contract made between the managing agent and the commission payable after a period of six weeks as before.
There are no comparable arrangements for mode B vacated places.
149WThe amount of expenditure incurred for vacated places on 1983–84 mode A contracts cannot be assessed in total, as some programmes will continue to operate until 1985. The estimated forecast is around £9 million for payments made under the previous system.
£8.7 million is budgeted for vacated place payments arising from 1984–85 mode A contracts under the new system.