HC Deb 18 November 1986 vol 105 c172W
76. Mr. Lambie

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement about the training needs of the longterm unemployed.

Mr. Trippier

Training to meet the needs of the long-term unemployed must aim to provide the skills relevant to finding employment in today's labour market. This includes training designed to increase confidence and motivation and to improve job finding skills, as well as training in occupational skills.

The Government have introduced a number of measures that provide specifically for the needs of the long-term unemployed, including the restart programme and most recently, the pilot job training scheme which is being tested as a means of providing work-related training and experience for those unemployed for over six months.

81. Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Paymaster General if he will make a statement on the likely trend in the numbers of those on long-term unemployment.

Mr. Lee

The latest figures show that long-term unemployment has fallen. There was a fall of 7,000 in the number unemployed for more than a year between July and October, a period in which the total would normally rise because of seasonal influences.