HC Deb 24 June 1988 vol 135 cc762-3W
Mr. Paice

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what are the projected numbers of YTS trainees on(a) year one and (b) year two for 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92 and what are the projected average lengths of stay.

Mr. Cope

The Government's expenditure plans, published in January 1988, show projected entrants to YTS at 363,000 in 1989–90 and 358,000 in 1990–91. Assumptions which underpinned that forecast are that 207,000 trainees with a two-year entitlement would progress into a second year in 1989–90, and 195,000 such trainees would progress into a second year in 1990–91. Average length of stay for those with a two-year entitlement would be 72 weeks in 1989–90, and 73 weeks in 1990–91, while for those with a one-year entitlement average length of stay would be 42 weeks in 1989–90 and 43 weeks in 1990–91.

The current public expenditure survey will cover the three years in question. The projections made last year are of course under review as part of this year's survey in the light of labour market trends, changes in legislation, and other factors.

Mr. Burns

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he now has final figures for the number of entrants to YTS in 1986–87; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Cope

The Training Commission has released figures today which show that there were 419,635 starts to YTS in 1986–87. Cumulative figures at the end of each month were:

Number
1986
April 22,826
May 37,738
June 128,225
July 190,786
August 244,557
September 332,928
October 356,181
November 371,877
December 379,849
1987
January 396,055
February 407,198
March 419,635
TOTAL FOR YEAR 419,635

These figures represent the actual numbers of scheme starts, including second and subsequent starts where trainees have transferred between schemes. It is estimated that the number of individuals entering YTS in 1986–87 was some 20 per cent. lower than the figures for starts in the table.

These figures differ from those published during 1986–87 because they include notifications of starts which had not been received at the time the monthly statistics were announced.