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Short-Time Working Scheme

Volume 973: debated on Tuesday 13 November 1979

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asked the Secretary of State for Employment if he proposes to extend the temporary short-time working scheme when the current scheme expires; and if he proposes now or in the future to enable firms to benefit from the scheme on more than one occasion.

A decision about the future of the temporary short time working compensation scheme will be made as part of the annual review of the special employment and training measures, which will take place later this year. This has been established practice since their inception. Decisions will be announced as soon as possible before 31 March 1980.

Under the scheme, firms experiencing a fresh threat of redundancy, affecting jobs not included in the original application, are able to make a new application to preserve these jobs. If the application is approved the employer qualifies for a maximum of six months compensation in relation to these jobs, irrespective of the compensation which he has already received under the scheme to preserve other jobs at the same establishment.