Thatcher unveils plan to ease unemployment

Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, facing a motion of censure in Parliament over mounting jobless figures, announced a $285 million package this year to ease unemployment. The measures are designed to help growing numbers of youngsters who fail to find work after leaving school.

Unemployment in Britain is rising steadily and has reached 2.8 million, 11.8 percent of the work force. Officials admit privately they hope the measures will prevent it from reaching the emotive 3 million mark. Labor opposition leader Michael Foot has blamed unemployment for British rioting that has caused millio ns of dollars in damage.