§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what help is available to women with children, who wish to undertake a course of training, who are not registered as unemployed and who cannot afford a child minder; what training courses are available; and what support is available to enable such women to undertake training.
§ Mr. Nicholls[holding answer 20 January 1989]: Women aged 18 to 59 in the circumstances described are eligible for the full range of training opportunities under employment training if they are:
128W
- (a) returning to the labour market after an absence of two years or more for domestic reasons;
- (b) the partner of someone who is claiming benefit for them as a dependant and satisfies the eligibility rules for Employment Training;
- (c) eeking training in enterprise, or for skill shortage occupations or require help with English as a Second Language or have a disability; or
- (d) a lone parent on an Income Support Order Book for at least 6 months and whose youngest child is of school age.
All trainees on employment training receive a weekly allowance equivalent to any state benefit entitlement before starting the programme plus at least £10 and help with travel costs over £5 per week. All lone parents on the programme are entitled to child care assistance of up to £50 per week per child. Women trainees may also be able to attend part-time where they have continuing domestic commitments which prevent full-time participation.
The full range of YTS opportunities is also available to women in a similar position and who are under the age of 18 and who satisfy the normal eligibility rules. YTS trainees are entitled to an alowance of £29.50 per week rising to £35 per week in the second year.