HC Deb 08 March 1983 vol 38 cc695-6
7. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what was the total number unemployed for over 52 weeks on January of each of the past four years; and what steps are being taken to alleviate this problem.

15. Mr. Craigen

asked the Secretary of State for Employment what assessment of, and consequential provision for, the rise in the number of long-term unemployed his Department is making.

Mr. Gummer

At January 1983 the number of unemployed claimants in the United Kingdom who had been unemployed for over 52 weeks was 1,106,800. The numbers registered as unemployed for over 52 weeks were 905,000 in January 1982, 455,000 in January 1981, and 355,000 in January 1980. Jobs are created only when we produce goods and services that people want at a price that they are prepared and able to pay. This Government have cut inflation dramatically, and as productivity rises we should become more competitive. In the meantime, the community programme, introduced last year, is the largest ever initiative to help the long-term unemployed.

Mr. Hamilton

Is the 'Minister aware that that parrot reply will be no consolation to the more than 1 million workers who have now been out of work for more than a year, that number being more than treble the figure when the Government came to office? Do they disclaim all responsibility for that? When the next election comes, what will they do with those Saatchi and Saatchi posters? Will they put up another one saying "Conservative Government does not work"? What alibi will be given at the next election for those disgraceful figures?

Mr. Gummer

The hon. Gentleman thinks that it is a parrot cry when we tell the truth. The truth is that the only jobs that can be made available are jobs that produce goods that other people want to buy. There is no other truth. Until the Opposition accept that view they will never contribute to the ending of unemployment. It is because the Government have taken that view that we will conquer unemployment.

Mr. Craigen

As we could well have 1.5 million longterm unemployed by the end of this year, will the Minister tell us whether he is satisfied with the present woefully inadequate provision that is made for long-term unemployment? Does he really feel that the community programme is meeting the needs of the 1.1 million longterm unemployed?

Mr. Gummer

The hon. Gentleman is right to underline the fact—this is a matter about which we should all be concerned—that many people are unemployed for long periods. The community programme does not meet all the needs of all those people. That is why we have concentrated on producing new jobs right across the board. It is an important programme, and to provide 130,000 places on that programme is also important.

Mr. Forman

As the plight of the long-term unemployed is not only a matter of major social concern, but places a considerable economic burden on the rest of the community—notably those in work—what plans does the Department have to expand the community programme so that it takes up the full number of places allocated for it, as envisaged by my right hon. and learned Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer, and preferably supplements it with other ideas, such as the excellent enterprise allowance, to get more people back to work?

Mr. Gummer

I am sure that my hon. Friend is right to say that we have to work as hard as we can—that is what we are doing—to make sure that the community programme is fully utilised. We have used the other programmes that we have brought forward precisely for that purpose. As always, we are considering other ways of providing jobs, but I am sure my hon. Friend will agree that, over and above that, we have to find real jobs for people, and that that can be done only by producing goods that people want to buy.

Mr. J. Enoch Powell

When the Government persist in attributing unemployment to uncompetitiveness, how do they account for the persistent surplus on our trading account during the years in which unemployment has risen?

Mr. Gummer

The right hon. Gentleman returns to his theme, but the fact is that we could have done a lot better. That is one of our problems.

Mr. Kenneth Carlisle

What evidence is there that the community programme is helping the long-term unemployed to obtain jobs? Are the Government keeping a record of that?

Mr. Gummer

It is important that the programme should provide jobs for the long-term unemployed. When someone has had a job, he is more employable thereafter. There are provisions that enable individual employers to spend nearly £1,000 on training during that period, and that will also help.