HC Deb 24 April 1991 vol 189 cc451-2W
Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what criteria were used in training and enterprise councils making application for a share of the extra £120 million awarded to the employment training programme; what criteria were used by the Training, Enterprise and Education Directorate in distributing the funds; and whether any training and enterprise councils have complained to the regional director about the amount they have received.

Mr. Jackson

The additional £120 million for employment training in the current financial year was made available to allow ET to make the same contribution to assisting the long-term unemployed as had been expected when original budgets were allocated to training and enterprise councils in November 1990.

Additions to ET budgets were agreed with TECs to help ensure that the Government's guarantee of an offer of an opportunity to 18 to 24-year-olds unemployed between six and 12 months and the Government's aim of an offer of an opportunity to 18 to 49-year-olds unemployed for two years or longer were met. Additional resources were also allocated to enable TECs to assist other long-term unemployed people, especially those with special training needs. TECs have welcomed these additions to their ET budgets.

Mr. Alfred Morris

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what proportion of the extra funds awarded to the employment training programme has been specifically targeted by training and enterprise councils to enhance the unit price of training for people with disabilities and learning difficulties; and if he will give an analysis of where the £120 million was distributed by TECs.

Mr. Jackson

It is not possible to identify separately the proportion of the additional £120 millions made available for employment training in the current financial year which has been targeted by training and enterprise councils on provision for people with disabilities and learning difficulties. The extra money has been incorporated in TEC business plans which are commercially confidential.