HC Deb 26 April 1988 vol 132 cc109-11W
Mr. Trotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many new jobs have been created in the northern region in the last three years; and how much unemployment in the region has fallen in that time.

Mr. Lee

There are no figures for job losses and job gains. Between December 1984 and December 1987 (the latest date for which comparable figures are available) the civilian employed labour force in the northern region has shown a net increase of 42,000. In the same period the number of unemployed people including school leavers has fallen by 39,000. The figures have not been adjusted for the effects of seasonal variations. The civilian employed labour force is the sum of employees in employment and the self-employed.

Mr. Lee

Figures are not available for all the industries specified.

The available information is as follows:

Mr. Trotter

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the measures currently being taken by his Department to provide training and employment in the northern region.

Mr. Lee

The following measures are available in the northern region:

  • YTS: High-quality training and planned work experience for school leavers.
  • New job training scheme: training for adults who wish to add to or learn new skills.
  • Training for enterprise: training for business owners and managers.
  • Open learning: provides access to training, particularly for
  • supervisors and technicians.
  • Other adult training: a wide range of full and part-time courses offering training closely matched to local opportunities.
  • Training grants for employers: practical and financial help for training employees and recruits.
  • Restart programme: counselling and courses to help long-term unemployed people.
  • Community programme: community-based work and training.
  • Jobclubs: coaching, facilities and support for people looking for work.
  • Jobstart allowance: helps long-term unemployed people back into work.
  • Community industry: work experience for disadvantaged young people.
  • Travel to interview scheme: financial help for those who need to travel to job interviews.
  • Jobshare: an incentive to employers to create part-time jobs.
  • Voluntary projects programme: experience from working on voluntary projects.
  • Enterprise allowance scheme: financial help for unemployed people wishing to become self-employed or start their own business.
  • Small firms service: free information and counselling for new or existing small businesses.
  • Tourism: advice and financial support for tourism projects.
  • Loan guarantee scheme: guarantees for bank loans made to businesses.
  • Special needs: specific help for the disabled and ethnic minorities.
  • All these measures are listed in the "Action for Jobs" booklet, available from any of my Department's offices.

My Department is the lead Department in the Tyne and Wear city action team, set up to assist with regeneration in the Tyne and Wear area, and in a co-ordinating team in Cleveland, and is also participating in task forces in Hartlepool and Middlesbrough.

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