The major attempt of the Labour Government to save its face over the appalling unemployment figures is the Job Creation Scheme, introduced in September 1975. £85 million has been poured into this venture which is meant to provide worthwhile work' for the under 24s and over 50s. But the intention is rather different from the result. The scheme offers little opportunity for apprenticeships, it provides only temporary work, and in most cases the wages paid are well below the going rate for the job.
Then there is the Temporary Employment Subsidy, which hands out money to companies to retain workers they would At least that is the idea; but because firms receiving grants must prove that they are 'not likely to become insolvent", one might ask why they are sacking workers in the first place. The most obvious conclusion is that this scheme is of hand will cost nearly £73 million. useful public works.
RED WEEKLY 11 November 1976 3