§ 62. Mr. Steenasked the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that the jobcentres in South Hams are taking all steps to see that unemployed young people are encouraged to take up work that is available.
§ Mr. LeeYoung people under the age of 18 are required to register at either the careers office or the jobcentre as a precondition for the receipt of state benefit. Vacancies are matched against the youngsters registration details and they are notified of suitable opportunities. In addition, all young people leaving full-time education in the 1986–87 academic year who are eligible for YTS are guaranteed an offer of a suitable YTS place by Christmas.
Young people aged 18 to 25 are treated in the same way as any other older job-seeker and registration at the jobcentre is not compulsory. The majority of vacancies are filled through the operation of self-service displays. However, anyone who remains unemployed for six months or more will be interviewed by a member of the restart team at which stage all suitable opportunities will be brought to their attention. Priority is also given to the 18 to 25 age group on the new job training scheme.
As with all unemployed job-seekers a young person who fails to follow up a suitable opportunity of work may be disqualified from receiving state benefit for up to 13 weeks.