asked the Minister for Labour if he will give details of the social employment scheme; if any local authorities have refused or found it impracticable to participate in the scheme; and the number of persons who have so far been employed under the scheme.
Written Answers. - Social Employment Scheme.
600.
Paragraph 12 of Chapter Four of Building on Reality outlined the key features of the social employment scheme. Additional details are as follows: The scheme will be operated by the National Manpower Service. The £70 wage will relate to an average two and a half days, 20 hour week. There will be flexibility in working arrangements so as to allow, for example, sponsors to operate on a week on, week off basis. Participants will be free to engage in alternative work on their days off. Participants in the scheme should, in general, be over 25 years and must be in receipt of unemployment assistance in the period immediately preceding recruitment. Participants must be unemployed for more than one year but periods during which unemployment benefit, disability benefit were received or periods of training and, within limits, temporary work, will be reckonable in calculating the year. Periods of employment under the scheme will qualify for special credited contributions in a person's social insurance record but will not reckon towards qualification for unemployment benefit.
No local authority has indicated refusal to participate in the scheme or indicated that it is impracticable to do so. A number of local authorities have expressed an interest in the scheme, but pending its commencement, have not been invited to submit formal applications. I propose to launch the scheme officially on 22 February and explanatory leaflets, etc. will be available from that time.