§ 20. Mr. Sedgemoreasked the Paymaster General what was the real value of the youth opportunities programme allowance in 1979 compared with the current YTS allowance.
§ Mr. TrippierThe youth opportunities programme allowance in 1979 was £20.55 per week, equivalent to about £35 at today's prices. The current YTS allowance is £27.30 and the allowance for second-year trainees will be £35 from 1 April this year. Allowance levels must reflect the fact that trainees are only learning, and YTS provides substantially upgraded training compared with the youth opportunities programme.