HC Deb 19 January 1994 vol 235 cc687-8W
Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will list the current measures he is taking to reduce youth unemployment in the Doncaster area; and if he will make a statement.

Miss Widdecombe

All young people aged under 18, who are not in a job or full-time education, are guaranteed the offer of a suitable youth training place if they want one. On 9 December, the latest date for which information is available, there were five young people in the Barnsley and Doncaster training and enterprise council area wire were covered by the guarantee and had been waiting for a place for eight or more weeks. This is 86 per cent. fewer than in March last year.

The Employment Service and the TEC deliver an extensive programme of employment, enterprise and training initiatives to help employment prospects for unemployed people. In addition to this mainstream provision, the following schemes are available specifically for young people in the 18 to 25 years age group: the Doncaster education business partnership; the careership programme; pre-release courses involving the Employment Service, the careers service and the National Association for the Care and Resettlement of Offenders; a mentoring programme; and workshops advising on job search and careers.