§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the weekly average number of working hours of participants in the training for work scheme; what is the current level of training premium they receive; when this figure was last reviewed; and what plans she has to increase this figure. [35149]
§ Mr. PaiceThere are no figures available for the weekly average number of working hours for training for work trainees. The Government's agreement with training and enterprise councils stipulates that trainees shall have planned training of 21 hours or more in each seven-day period. Trainees receive an allowance based on the benefit they were receiving the day they joined the programme plus a premium of £10 per week. Training allowances are increased annually in line with benefit payments. The £10 premium was introduced in 1988. My right hon. Friend has no plans to increase this premium.