HC Deb 21 January 1986 vol 90 c124W
65. Mr. Favell

asked the Paymaster General what further plans he has to encourage the unemployed to take available jobs.

Mr. Alan Clark

In addition to the existing jobcentre services, pilot schemes to help the long-term unemployed get back into employment began in nine areas on 6 January. These schemes provide an in-depth counselling interview, a new short course specifically designed for the needs of the long-term unemployed and a practical incentive to return to work in the form of a new job start allowance of £20 a week for those who take jobs with earnings less than £80 per week.

Also, the Manpower Services Commission is currently evaluating the effectiveness of job clubs, which provide facilities and encouragement to longer-term unemployed people to undertake intensive job hunting, and the recent initiative to contact longer-term unemployed people, to promote the range of jobcentre services available to them.