HC Deb 09 December 1985 vol 88 cc540-1W
Mr. Hancock

asked the Paymaster General if he will give the following details on the proposed experiment for the long-term unemployed in Billingham and seven other areas (a) type of jobs to be included in the experiment and (b) average weekly amount of Government subsidy to be received by each worker and (c) average weekly amount of Government subsidy to be received by each Government worker.

Mr. Alan Clark

Any full-time jobs filled in the six months from 6 January by long-term unemployed people resident in the nine pilot areas will qualify for the jobstart allowance provided that earnings from those jobs are less than £80 a week. All types of jobs are eligible, whether in the public or private sector, except for jobs in domestic service and in the community programme. In all cases the allowance will be £20 a week. For further details of the scheme I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. and learned Friend's reply to the hon. Member for Kingston upon Hull, East (Mr. Prescott) on 28 November at columns633–34.

Mr. Hancock

asked the Paymaster General what representations he has received concerning the proposed experiment for the long-term unemployed in Billingham and seven other areas in Britain.

Mr. Alan Clark

To date my Ministerial colleagues and I have answered nine parliamentary questions from hon. Members concerning the pilot schemes for the long-term unemployed which will operate in nine areas of Great Britain from 6 January 1986. We have also received seven letters from hon. Members and 10 letters from members of the public.