§ Mr. Terry Fieldsasked the Paymaster General if he has any plans to provide a meal allowance for trainees on the YTS.
§ Mr. TrippierThe weekly training allowance payable to YTS trainees is intended to cover normal living expenses. including meals.
17WThe first-year allowance will be increased to £28.50 per week from April 1987. I have no plans to introduce an additional meal allowance for YTS trainees.
§ Mr. Nellistasked the Paymaster General what is the current real value, based on (a) retail prices index and (b) average earnings, of the YTS allowance compared with its value in 1978.
§ Mr. TrippierThe youth opportunities programme allowance in 1978 was £19.50, equivalent to about £39 when adjusted to take account of increases since 1978 in the retail price index, and about £47 if the adjustment is based on increases in average earnings. The YTS allowance for first-year trainees will increase from its present £27.30 to £28.50 on 6 April 1987; second year trainees will continue to receive a training allowance of £35 per week. Allowance levels must reflect the fact that trainees are still learning, and YTS provides substantially upgraded training compared with the youth opportunities programme.