---

Dept for Education and Employment

Answer

Mr. Allan: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what take-up there has been of the entitlement to paid educational leave for 16 to 17-year-olds since it was introduced; what the estimated cost has been to (a) state and (b) private employers; and if he will make a statement. [149611] Mr. Wicks: This information is not collected centrally. The right to time off for study or training is employment legislation which protects and encourages 16 and 17-year-old employees who have not already achieved level 2 qualifications as defined by the regulations. At the end of 1999, there were an estimated 100,000 16 and 17-year-olds in England, in employment, but not qualified to level 2 and not working towards a level 2 qualification. Evidence from our initial evaluation (DfEE Research Report RR221 "Time Off for Study or Training: Preliminary Evaluation of the Implementation of the Employment Right") suggests that the right has stimulated activity to promote training to young people, and has had a positive effect on recruitment into modern apprenticeships, but this remains difficult to quantify.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

149611; 363 c161W;363 c161-2W

Session

2000-01

Subjects

Costs Employment Education Leave Qualifications Training Young people Vocational education Take-up

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk