§ 44. Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland to what level the youth training programme allowance would need to be increased to bring it to the same value as on its introduction, measured by(a) the rise in prices, and (b) the rise in average earnings; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NeedhamThe weekly training allowance was first paid to young people in the youth opportunities programme (YOP) in April 1978 and was £19.50. The equivalent value of the youth training programme allowance if adjusted for changes in the retail prices index would be £49.50 and if adjusted for changes in the index of average earnings it would be £63.48.
The youth training programme (YTP) especially since the introduction from 1 April 1990 of the new arrangements for delivery and funding, incorporates substantially higher quality training than YOP. It is, therefore, misleading to compare the values of the YOP and YTP training allowances, which reflect the fact that trainees are still learning.