§ 18. Miss LestorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will state the total number of 16-year-olds expected to enter the labour market during this year.
§ Mr. FormanThe total number of 16-year-olds in England in the current academic year is 551,000, of whom some 397,000 are expected to be in full-time education at a school or further education college. The balance of 154,000 represents the number of young people expected to enter the labour market. A significant proportion of these are expected to be undertaking part-time education or training at a further education institution or on Government-sponsored youth training. The Government guarantee a suitable place on youth training for all 16 and 17-year-olds who are not in further education or employment.