HC Deb 17 October 1991 vol 196 cc235-6W
Mr. Latham

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for the future of the jobshare scheme; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

The Government remain keen to encourage labour force flexibility, and the Department recently issued a guide for employers setting out the benefits of a flexible approach to working arrangements.

Research has shown, however, that employers are introducing measures such as jobsharing without the need for continuing financial inducement from public funds. The low current take-up of the scheme suggests that it is not now fulfilling a useful purpose and we have therefore decided to close it for new applications on 31 December 1991.