HC Deb 18 May 1990 vol 172 cc586-7W
Mr. Ashley

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that TECs have sufficient flexibility to meet the training needs of disabled people.

Mr. Eggar

The national framework we have established within which training and enterprise councils (TECs) will operate ensures that TECs have the flexibility to adapt national programmes to meet individual needs, including the needs of people with disabilities. TECs will also have access to specialist residential training providers offering places for people with disabilities who need particular facilities and support, where appropriate local provision is not available.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment (1) whether he will issue guidance to training and enterprise councils on meeting the training of people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement;

(2) what plans he has to ensure that examples of good practice of training and enterprise council's provision for disabled people are disseminated to all training and enterprise councils;

(3) how he plans to ensure that training and enterprise councils are fully aware of the training and employment needs and abilities of people with disabilities.

Mr. Eggar

TECs must set out in their business plan how they intend to meet the training needs of people with disabilities. These plans will be subject to my approval.

Existing guidance issued by my Department on assessment, training and employment of people with disabilities is available to TECs, in the following publications:

  • "Building on Ability"—a guide for training people with disabilities (Training Agency publication December 1989).
  • Code of good practice on the employment of disabled people (employment service revised October 1988).

The Training Agency has begun to issue a series of good practice guidance written specifically for TECs which among other issues will cover special training needs, including people with disabilities. The agency will continue to review the need for further guidance in this area.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that all training and enterprise councils' boards have a member with explicit responsibility for the needs of people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

It is for each training and enterprise council (TEC) to determine the membership of its board within the broad parameters set by my Department. The position on membership of TEC boards is set out in the TEC prospectus.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to develop alternative performance indicators in training and enterprise councils for disabled people and those with learning difficulties.

Mr. Eggar

There will be a system of performance-related funding for TECs which achieve specified levels of performance against particular output measures. One of these measures will relate to people with disabilities. All the performance measures used will be regularly evaluated to look for ways in which their effectiveness and reliability can he improved.

Mr. Hannam

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he is taking to ensure that training and enterprise councils do not suffer budget penalties for meeting the higher unit costs of training disabled people; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eggar

Training and enterprise councils (TECs) will operate under a performance-related contract with my Department. This is designed to give an incentive for good performance by TECs in achieving objectives. This will include meeting the training needs of people with disabilities.