§ Mr. McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what is the basis and source for the estimate that some 80,000 unemployed people are currently studying under the 21-hour rule; and how he intends to monitor the impact that the reduction to guided learning hours will have after April 1996; and if he will make a statement.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe basis for the estimate that about 80,000 people are currently studying part-time while claiming unemployment benefits is information
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31 March 1990 31 March 1991 31 March 1992 31 March 1993 31 March 1994 Remploy 8,738 8,630 8,591 8,576 8,654 Local Authority Workshops 4,276 4,132 3,905 3,639 3,544 Voluntary Workshops 1,200 1,177 1,155 1,199 1,164 Local Authority Placements 3,010 3,338 3,438 3,502 3,602 Voluntary Placements 3,426 3,500 3,548 3,708 3,859 from claims and the labour force survey. The figure includes those studying under the 21-hour rule.
This is not a reduction. Courses of up to 16 guided learning hours may, of course, be supplemented by private study as long as this does not affect the individual's availability for, or efforts to find work.
Surveys will continue to be used to monitor the number of people studying part time while looking for work. We do not expect any change in the numbers of claimants helped or in the costs of the scheme.