§ Mr. AltonTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will review the remuneration to be made available to trainees taking up places on the employment training scheme.
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§ Mr. NichollsNo. The level of training allowances on employment training have been set to ensure that all trainees will be better off on the programme than remaining unemployed and on benefit. In addition, trainees will be reimbursed all fares over £5 per week and paid lodging costs for training away from home. There will be assistance with the cost of any special clothing needed and lone parents will receive child care costs of up to £50 per week for each child. Trainees who successfully complete their training plan will also receive a training bonus of up to £200, depending on their level of achievement.
All these allowances will be free from deductions for income tax and national insurance contributions and all trainees entitled to income support will retain their passport to other social security benefits. This is a substantial package which should provide an incentive to all unemployed people to take advantage of the high-quality training on offer.