HC Deb 21 October 1991 vol 196 cc394-5W
Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make it his policy to amend the employment action scheme to ensure(a) trainees are paid the rate for the job, (b) trainees are given full contracts of employment, (c) full-time and part-time places are available and (d) off-the-job training leading to recognised qualifications is provided; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

I have no plans to change the rules for employment action. Under the current arrangements part time places may be available for some participants and those seeking training leading to a vocational qualification are able to apply for a place on employment training.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what response he has received from local authorities, trade unions, voluntary organisations and organisations representing the interests of the unemployed, concerning the introduction of the employment action scheme.

Mr. Jackson

Employment action has been generally welcomed by all those with the interests of unemployed people at heart. The decision of the TUC to oppose employment action is regrettable but will not prevent the schemes success.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how many bids have been received from training and enterprise councils and other agencies in order to run employment action schemes.

Mr. Jackson

Seventy five training and enterprise councils are already running employment action or are negotiating contracts with my Department. Where TECs have declined to participate, my officials will be arranging contracts direct with providers. There has been strong interest from providers in such cases.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he has taken to ensure that employment action does not result in job substitution; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

Employment action is delivered locally. Training and enterprise councils with their solid base in the local community, are ideally placed to ensure that there is no substitution.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if employment action participants will receive similar employment rights to employment training and youth training trainees under the provisions of health and safety, race relations and sex discrimination legislation; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

The provisions of health and safety, race relations and sex discrimination legislation will indeed apply to employment action participants. Trainees on employment training and youth training are similarly covered.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment how employment action will result in employment creation or vocational training; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

Employment action will help unemployed people to maintain their existing skills, as well as giving them help in searching for and securing a permanent job. I am confident that employment action will improve the prospects of those who take part.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what steps he intends to take in the case of claimants who refuse to take part in employment action programmes.

Mr. Jackson

As I have frequently made clear, participation in employment action is entirely voluntary. Refusal to accept a place on the initiative would not in itself result in disqualification from receipt of benefit.