HC Deb 21 July 1987 vol 120 cc156-8W
29. Mr. Wood

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on Government funding for YTS.

Mr. Cope

The Government have made available substantial resources for two-year YTS, amounting to around £1.1 billion in 1987–88. This reflects the Government's commitment to offering young people the better start in working life that YTS provides and to producing a better trained, better motivated, more adaptable work force.

While making this considerable contribution, the Government also expect employers to bear a fair share of the costs of training young people, in recognition of the benefits they will gain from a better trained work force.

58. Mrs. Ann Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many companies have been involved in the YTS programme to date.

Mr. Cope

We estimate that over 100,000 employers' establishments are involved in YTS, mainly as work experience providers. Surveys indicate that as many establishments again have been involved at some time in the past.

59. Mr. Sedgemore

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what number of young people have refused a place on YTS in each year since the scheme was launched.

Mr. Cope

The Manpower Services Commission has estimated that around 20,000 to 30,000 from each year's cohort of 16-year-old school leavers have remained unemployed despite the availability of YTS places.

60. Mr. Nellist

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will estimate the level of first year YTS allowance if it was uprated in line with the rise in the value of earnings since the introduction of YOP in 1978.

Mr. Cope

The youth opportunities programme allowance in April 1978 was £49.00 if adjusted to take account of increases in the index of average earnings between April 1978 and April 1987. YTS allowances are lower to reflect the fact that trainees are still learning, and YTS provides substantially upgraded training compared with the youth opportunities programme.

61. Mr. David Porter

asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the placement rate of YTS.

Mr. Cope

The latest figures show that about three quarters of young people leaving YTS are in jobs or further education or training three months after leaving their scheme.

77. Mr. Robert Hicks

asked the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has any proposals to alleviate the situation of individuals who, having completed their two year YTS, are unable to find permanent work; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

The Manpower Services Commission carries out a survey of all trainees three months after they leave the scheme. The latest figures show 75 per cent. in job or further education of training and 22 per cent. without work; many of those who are unemployed at the three-month point may in addition find a job at a later date.

In addition, young people can benefit from a range of other opportunities available after they leave YTS, such as the new workers scheme and the enterprise allowance scheme. In particular, the new workers scheme helps young people aged 18 to 20, who might otherwise be out of work, into full-time permanent jobs by offering employers an incentive to recruit young people.

86. Mrs. Virginia Bottomley

asked the Secretary of State for Employment how many young people have so far taken up places on the two-year YTS.

Mr. Cope

The Manpower Services Commission currently estimates that around 360,000 young people joined YTS in 1986–87; a similar number are expected to join in 1987–88.