HL Deb 09 April 1987 vol 486 cc1223-4WA
Lord Simon of Glaisdale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What percentage of persons applying to join the Government Youth Training Schemes in 1986 were found to be unable to:

  1. (i) read English
  2. (ii) write English
  3. (iii) either read or write English.

The Secretary of State for Employment (Lord Young of Graffham)

This information is not available.

Lord Simon of Glaisdale

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What numbers and percentages of:

  1. (a) Women; and
  2. (b) men; in
  1. (i) England;
  2. (ii) Scotland;
  3. (iii) Wales; and
  4. (iv) Northern Ireland;
interviewed in the Restart Programme proved to be unable to
  1. (i) read English;
  2. (ii) write English;
  3. (iii) either read or write English.

Lord Young of Graffham

I regret the information is not available in the form requested. I asked the Manpower Services Commission to investigate the extent of problems with literacy and numeracy among long-term unemployed people in Great Britain. Their conclusions, which were based on a number of sources including a study of Restart interviewees, suggested that up to 25 per cent of long-term unemployed people might have difficulties that could affect their opportunities of securing employment.

These serious problems are already being tackled through our adult training programmes and by the work of local education authorities. However, I have asked the commission to consider whether they can develop even more effective measures to improve these essential basic skills.

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