HC Deb 07 June 1988 vol 134 cc496-7W
17. Mr. Jacques Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement about the plans for the new adult training programme employment training.

Mr. Fowler

The new employment training programme is to come into operation on 5 September on the basis of the unanimous recommendations of the Training Commission which I have accepted in full. The commission has made considerable progress on the detailed implementation arrangements and has just begun the process of signing contracts under the new programme.

41. Mr. Frank Cook

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he is considering making any changes in the proposed adult training schemes.

Mr. Nicholls

No. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State accepted in full the recommendations made to him by the Training Commission—and recently announced his decisions on some detailed issues arising from the Commission's recommendations. The new employment training programme will come into operation as planned on 5 September.

47. Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many local authorities and voluntary organisations have indicated that they will not participate in the adult training scheme unless the arrangements for the scheme are changed.

Mr. Nicholls

The Training Commission is currently in negotiation with potential providers of training for the new programme including local authorities and voluntary organisations. They were asked for proposals or clear expressions of interest by 3 June. It is, therefore, too early to take a firm view on how many will take part. But it is clear that large numbers are serious about getting involved. Training Commission officials have been and are giving them all possible help. I urge all local authorities and voluntary organisations, particularly existing community programme sponsors and agents, who have indicated interest to submit proposals as soon as possible.

61. Mr. Charles Wardle

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received on the adult training scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

The community programme and our provision for unemployed adults will be replaced by employment training from 5 September. I have received a number of representations from hon. Members and others about this important new programme which will provide quality training for longer-term unemployed people.

62. Mr. Anthony Coombs

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what representations he has received on the principle of trainees on the adult training scheme receiving their full entitlement to benefit plus a training allowance; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Nicholls

I have received a number of representations from hon. Members and others about the payments to be made to participants on employment training. Decisions by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on the training allowance implement the unanimous recommendations made by the Training Commission and will ensure that all participants will be better off on the programme than remaining unemployed and claiming benefit.

63. Ms. Abbott

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment under what conditions single parents who wish to participate in the adult training scheme will be eligible for child care allowance.

Mr. Nicholls

All lone parents who participate in employment training will be entitled to have child care costs of up to £50 a week for each child placed with a childminder, nursery or creche registered with a local authority met by the Training Commission.

68. Mr. Kirkhope

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he has any plans to meet representatives of the Trade Union Council general council to discuss the adult training scheme.

Mr. Nicholls

My right hon. Friend met representatives of the TUC general council on 18 May to discuss employment training. There are no plans for a further meeting.

Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the maximum weekly top-up payable to participants on the adult training scheme beyond the £10 to £12 per week to be paid by the Manpower Services Commission without incurring benefit loss or tax liability; and what would he the effect of employers deciding to make a payment of more than £5 weekly.

Mr. Nicholls

Under DHSS regulations, regular voluntary payments of up to £5 a week per family unit may be disregarded for the purposes of assessing entitlement to income support or housing benefit. Such payments are not liable to income tax. If a payment in excess of £5 were made to a trainee in receipt of income support, the first £5 would be disregarded and the balance deducted £1 for £1 from his or her benefit entitlement. The payment would not be liable to income tax.