§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment what additional expenditure on the youth training scheme would be necessary in 1984–85 if the scheme were to accommodate all the 16 and 17-year-olds now unemployed in Great Britain; how many additional places would be needed; and if he has any plans to expand the scheme in 1985–86 to accommodate all the 16 and 17-year-olds who would otherwise be unemployed.
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§ Mr. Peter MorrisonEstimates of the additional expenditure needed to extend the youth training scheme in this way depend on the flow of unemployed young people during the relevant period, rather than on a single "snapshot" at a point in time, and on assumptions about their length of stay on the scheme, about the additional off-the-job training which might be provided and about the contribution which longer-duration trainees might make to output. No estimates are available for 1984–85 which take account of these factors, and which provide for all unemployed young people under 18 to be on the scheme.
On plans for the youth training scheme in 1985–86, I refer the hon. Member to my reply of 9 January, at column 464. Eligibility rules for the scheme next year were announced on 12 November. Unemployed 16 and 17-year-old school and college leavers, together with employed 16-year-old leavers, and some other older groups of disabled young people, will continue to be eligible. Some special groups of 18-year-olds will also be able to take part in the scheme next year.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people in training on the youth training scheme are estimated to be employees (a) on current year schemes and (b) on previous year schemes; how these figures compare with the previous year; what growth in the number of employees was expected when planning 1984–85 scheme places; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonI shall reply to the hon. Member as soon as possible.
§ Mr. Sheermanasked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people are currently in training on the youth training scheme (a) on current year schemes and (b) on previous year schemes; how these figures compare with the previous year; whether they represent an increase in the take-up rate of scheme places; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter MorrisonThere were 264,972 young people in training on current year schemes, and 40,403 young people in training on previous year schemes on the youth training scheme on 28 December 1984, compared to 256,533 young people in training at the end of December 1983 all of whom were on current-year schemes. This increase in the take-up of scheme places shows that young people clearly recognise the advantages of participating in a high quality training programme.
Forecast of Destination of 1984–85 School Leavers by December 1985 16 Year Olds 17 Year Olds 18 Year Olds Leaving School and entering Labour Market* Employed outside YTS Leaving School and entering Labour Market* Employed outside YTS Leaving School and entering Labour Market* Employed outside YTS (000s) per cent. (000s) per cent. (000s) per cent. (000s) per cent. (000s) per cent. (000s) per cent. Scotland‡ 42 42 14 14 10 39 4 17 3 36 2 20 Northern 26 66 4 11 2 23 1 7 2 22 1 10 North West† 64 60 17 16 6 24 3 10 5 24 3 15 Yorks & Humberside 48 62 13 17 6 30 3 13 4 27 2 13 Midlands 85 60 22 16 9 26 5 13 6 24 3 14 Wales 23 53 4 10 4 26 2 11 2 19 1 13 South West 35 58 13 22 4 26 2 15 4 34 3 28 South East 85 51 36 22 17 31 10 18 10 29 8 23 London† 40 49 18 22 11 35 7 20 6 36 4 24 Great Britain † ‡ 447 55 142 17 69 30 35 15 40 28 27 19