HC Deb 22 December 1997 vol 303 cc498-9W
Mr. Gordon Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve training and educational opportunities for seasonally unemployed individuals who do not qualify for the New Deal programme. [21318]

Mr. Andrew Smith

The Department of Education and Employment is currently considering the future pattern of education and training for unemployed people as part of its Comprehensive Spending Review.

A history of seasonal work does not, of itself, indicate a need for intensive help such as training. The Government's Welfare to Work programmes, on the other hand, are particularly intended to help those who face most disadvantage in returning to work.

There are, however, many other sources of help on which seasonally unemployed people, who do not qualify for Welfare to Work programmes can draw. All unemployed people have access to the help and advice of the Employment Service from day one of unemployment, including the job broking service and advice on seeking employment. After three months, unemployed people are given help to broaden their job search through, for example, interviews with employment advisers and job search plus courses. Help with travelling to interviews can also be given at this stage.

In addition, many flexible learning opportunities exist for people who are subject to seasonal or irregular employment, for example through part-time opportunities in further education colleges. TECs may make provision for training and enterprise measures to suit local circumstances, such as seasonal unemployment. Unemployed seasonal workers are subject to the same Jobseeker's Allowances (JSA) rules on education and

GCE A Level entries in English literature by students in England in 1996–97
AEB OCEAC EDEXCEL NEAB Total
All courses
Grade A 3,466 2,152 1,617 1,922 9,157
Grade B 3,878 3,304 2,215 1,849 11,246
Grade C 4,985 3,361 2,247 2,308 12,901
Grade D 5,197 2,381 1,719 2,181 11,478
Grade E 3,762 971 874 1,473 7,080
Grade N 1,186 205 287 559 2,237
Unclassified 531 128 204 287 1,150
Total courses 23,005 12,502 9,163 10,579 55,249
Modular courses
Grade A 1,514 1,617 3,131
Grade B 2,455 2,215 4,670
Grade C 2,405 2,247 4,652
Grade D 1,452 1,719 3,171
Grade E 435 874 1,309
Grade N 51 287 338
Unclassified 85 204 289
Total modular 8,397 9,163 17,560
Key
AEB: Associated Examining Board.
OCEAC: Oxford and Cambridge Examinations and Assessment Board.
EDEXCEL: Education in Excellence.
NEAB: Northern Examinations and Assessment Board.
Grades A to E represent a pass at that level and N represents a near miss.