HC Deb 23 February 1993 vol 219 cc524-5W

Exceptions to the conditions that a person must have been unemployed for at least 12 months out of the last 15 months.

  1. (a) Unemployed 18–24 year olds who have been unemployed for over 6 months.
  2. (b) Young people who have been recently on the Youth Training Programme may count up to a maximum: of 3 months full time training on the programme as unemployment with the balance of the 6 months to be made up of normal unemployment.
  3. (c) Adults who have recently been on the Job Training Programme or at a course at a Training Centre or in Enterprise Ulster may count all of the time spent as unemployment.
  4. (d) Registered disabled people need only have been unemployed for at least 6 out of the last 12 months. They are also permitted to remain in ACE for 18 months instead of the usual 12 months.

Ms. Short

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what is the most recent information he has on the destination of people who leave action for community employment and the job training programme; how many leavers got jobs, became unemployed or went on to further training; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

Responsibility for the subject in question has been delegated to the Training and Employment Agency under its chief executive, Mr. J. S. Crozier. I have asked him for a reply to be given.

Letter from J. S. Crozier to Ms Clare Short, dated 22 February 1993: You asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for information on the destination of people who leave Action for Community Employment and the Job Training Programme; and how many leavers got jobs, became unemployed or went on to further training. As the Chief Executive of the Training and Employment Agency which has executive responsibility for these matters I have been asked to reply. The most recent information available on the destination of people who left the Action for Community Employment scheme is based on a sample survey for the period 1 April 1992 to 31 January 1993. This shows that 28 per cent. moved into employment, 2 per cent. into further education or training, and 70 per cent. into unemployment. A full survey in 1991 showed 35 per cent. moving into employment, 4 per cent. into education and training and 61 per cent. into unemployment. Over the period 1 April 1992 to 31 January 1993 in the Job Training Programme 29 per cent. of leavers moved into employment. 16 per cent. into further education or training and 55 per cent. into unemployment.

Back to