HC Deb 04 July 1988 vol 136 cc448-9W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State far Social Services what percentage of school leavers were recruited by the National Health Service in 1987–88, or the latest year for which figures are available.

Mr. Newton

Details of the number of school leavers who enter the NHS directly from school are not available centrally.

Information by age distribution of under 18 and 18 to 20-year-olds employed in the NHS is shown in the table together with the number of school leavers expected to be available for employment. (Both Great Britain).

NHS non-medical manpower statistics 30 September 1986 Great Britain
Numbers
Total non-medical staff 1,107,882
Under 18 4,693
18–20 62,954

Source: DHSS Annual (SR7) Census of NHS Non Medical Manpower, Welsh Office, Scottish Common Services Agency.

NoteMedical and Dental staff are excluded from the above figures.

School leavers expected to be available for employment Great Britain Academic year of leaving school
1986–87 1987–88
All leavers 840,000 800,000
Leavers available for employment 580,000 550,000

Source: Employment Gazette, September 1986.