HC Deb 15 February 1994 vol 237 c746W
Mr. Tipping

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what new initiatives he plans to reduce youth unemployment in Nottinghamshire.

Miss Widdecombe

Unemployment among young people in Nottinghamshire is at the lowest level since October 1991. Currently almost 7,000 young people are undertaking training in Nottinghamshire under the youth training scheme. There are a wide range of employment, enterprise and training programmes available to young people in Nottinghamshire. The Government intend to improve the range of opportunities available to school leavers still further in Nottinghamshire and elsewhere by introducing modern apprenticeships in 1995.

Mr. William O'Brien

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has to improve training facilities and training schemes for older unemployed people; and if he will make a statement.

Miss Widdecombe

As I announced at the time of the Budget, the upper age limit for unemployed adults entering training for work will be raised from 59 to 63 from 1 April this year.